Overview

This bill aims to make it easier for the family members of refugees and those granted humanitarian protection to join them in the UK. It mandates the government to create new rules for family reunification and ensures legal aid is available for those applying.

Description

The bill compels the Secretary of State to introduce new immigration rules within six months, enabling family reunification for refugees and those with humanitarian protection. These rules will cover:

• Who qualifies as a family member: Parents (including adoptive), spouses/civil partners/unmarried partners, children (under 18 or under 25 and unmarried when the refugee left their home country), siblings (under 18 or under 25 and unmarried when the refugee left their home country), and other individuals the Secretary of State deems appropriate (considering factors like family unity, child's best interests, dependency, and risk to the refugee's well-being).
• Legal definitions: The bill clarifies the definitions of "adopted," "adoptive," and "best interests of a child" aligning with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Legal Aid: The bill adds "refugee family reunion" to the list of cases eligible for legal aid under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (applicable to England and Wales only).

Government Spending

The bill does not specify any direct increase in government spending but will likely result in increased costs associated with processing applications and providing legal aid. Precise figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

The bill will primarily affect:

• Refugees and individuals granted humanitarian protection: Allows them to be reunited with their families.
• Family members of refugees and those with humanitarian protection: Provides a pathway to enter and remain in the UK.
• Legal aid providers: Will see increased demand for their services in relation to family reunion applications (in England and Wales).
• The Home Office: Will be responsible for drafting and implementing the new immigration rules and processing a potentially increased number of applications.

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