The UK’s family reunion rules are extremely strict.
We are part of the #FamiliesTogether coalition. We believe that everyone has a right to family life.
Separated children already living in the UK are not allowed to sponsor their parents or siblings to join them. These rules have a devastating effect on the health and wellbeing of vulnerable young people.
A new report by coalition partners Refugee Council, Amnesty and Save the Children calls for the following changes to be made to restrictive family reunion rules:
- Allow child refugees in the UK the right to sponsor their close family, so they can rebuild their lives together and help them integrate in their new community
- Expand who qualifies as family, so that young people who have turned 18 and elderly parents can join their family in the UK
- Reintroduce legal aid for refugee family reunion cases so people who have lost everything have the support they need to afford and navigate the complicated process of being reunited with their families.
Find out more about the work of the #FamiliesTogether coalition and sign the petition to the Home Secretary.
