2nd March 2026 Today, the Home Secretary has announced that from now on, refugees who apply for and are granted asylum in the UK will be given 2.5 years’ temporary refugee status. While there are still many unanswered questions, the Home Secretary’s statement gives some clarity to the policy which…
What is a SEF? The SEF stands for the statement of evidence form. It is part of the process of a child’s asylum claim. The statement of evidence has a list of standard questions including on the child’s circumstances, journey to the UK, nationality and reasons for claiming asylum. The SEF is completed with an immigration adviser…
This short film was made by the Greater Manchester Asylum Hotels Group and Stand & Be Counted Theatre. The group, which is supported by GMIAU, is made up of people with experience of living in asylum hotels. ‘We are a group of people who have come to the UK to…
We’re incredibly proud to share our Impact Report 2025, which captures the last year of work at GMIAU. This report shares what we’ve achieved through our free, specialist immigration legal advice and representation, and includes the voices of people who have used our services, sharing the difference this support has…
Members of the Greater Manchester Asylum Hotels Group have come together to share how recent government changes to the asylum system are affecting them, and how these plans make them feel as people who came to the UK seeking safety. In October 2025, in response to protests and widespread misunderstanding…
Please note applications for this role have now closed. Are you a solicitor working in immigration and asylum law? Do you want to use your skills to defend people’s rights, challenge injustice and support communities affected by immigration control? You could be our new Immigration Solicitor/IAA Level 3 and IAAS…
November 2025GMIAU and Praxis On Thursday, the government published a statement and a consultation on their planned changes to settlement in the UK (also known as indefinite leave to remain or ILR).In short, they plan to make settlement harder to achieve for most people who are in the UK on…
18th November 2025 In an unprecedented assault on refugee rights, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a new set of hostile policy changes, that will significantly undermine the security and wellbeing of people seeking safety in the UK. The changes are written in a government paper called “Restoring Order and Control“. This…
In recent months, we have seen an increase in protests and demonstrations outside asylum hotels, driven by misinformation and fear. These protests have created an atmosphere of tension. For people living in the hotels, it can feel intimidating and unsafe. Much of what is said about asylum hotels simply isn’t…
Last week marked my first week as CEO of GMIAU. I’m delighted to introduce myself to our friends and supporters and tell you a bit about myself. In my career, I’ve always focused on tackling social injustice. Before joining GMIAU I spent 8 years as CEO of Sefton Women’s and…