People who are granted refugee status in the UK are able to apply for certain categories of family member to join them in the UK. Since the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012 there has been no legal aid available for refugees to get free legal help for these applications.

Despite the applications being complex, this leaves refugees with two alternatives: pay for advice, or make the application yourself without legal advice. GMIAU runs a free service for refugees trying to reunite with their families in the North West.

Through our work we believe

  • Applications for refugees family reunion should be brought back in scope for legal aid
  • The categories of family member eligible for refugee family reunion should be widened
  • Refugee children should be able to apply for their family to join them in the UK

We are part of the Families Together Coalition campaigning to bring more refugee #FamiliesTogether