More than a Nation of Sanctuary: Why we should care about less visible migrant groups

New Bevan Foundation report examines the position of migrants in Welsh Government policy

The Bevan Foundation’s Access to Justice project is working to increase access to immigration advice and legal representation in Wales.

This report examines how migrants are considered in Welsh Government policy, and how devolved powers have been used to support migrants in Wales and to promote their rights.

The report finds that:

• Where the Welsh Government has used its powers to support migrants it has largely focused on refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
• Additional efforts have been made to meet specific needs of EU migrants applying under the EU settlement scheme and women with no recourse to public funds subject to gender-based and sexual violence.
• More needs to be done to support other groups of migrants in Wales whose position is equally insecure, and who face significant challenges relating to their immigration status.

We highlight three groups with significant and complex needs and explore the particular challenges they face:

• People with no recourse to public funds
• Undocumented migrants and people with insecure immigration status
• People on the ten-year route to settlement

We urge the Welsh Government to:

• take a broad, proactive and inclusive policy approach to all migrants in Wales;
• consider and respond to the needs of all migrants in need of support, protection, and specialist services;
• ensure that all migrants living in Wales can access legal advice and representation;
• ensure that all migrants living in Wales have access to information about their rights and can exercise them.

Pages: 21

Format: PDF

Language: English

Cost: Free

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