Blog written by Murshed, a member of Greater Manchester Asylum Hotels Group If I were to tell the full story, I should begin by saying that this event was not something that came together overnight. For months, we had been talking about the problems within the hotel accommodation system and…
Last week, the government published the Immigration and Asylum Bill 2026. The proposals in the Bill have been presented as tough new measures on immigration. But instead of offering genuine solutions, they will only separate more families, make it harder for survivors of exploitation to access protection, and place additional burdens on people trying…
THIS POSITION HAS NOW CLOSED, THANK YOU. Help Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) overcome immigration injustice by becoming a Trustee/Director. We are the leading immigration legal advice centre in the North West and our advice and representation changes lives. Do you want to help people find their place and…
On 25 June 2026, team GMIAU are taking part in the Manchester Legal Walk to raise funds for the Access to Justice Foundation – the only funder solely dedicated to increasing the availability of free legal support, advice and representation across the UK. Over the years the Access to Justice…
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 2/3 and IAAS Senior Caseworker. We are looking to recruit a qualified…
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…