UK stops refugee family reunion requests, reason named

Speaking to the House of Commons, Cooper emphasized that people smugglers often use the promise of family reunification as a way to promote illegal and dangerous routes.

“Substantial reforms are needed now,” she said, stressing that the government will pause consideration of new applications under the existing route until the new system is implemented.

The minister also noted that refugee families arriving in the UK often require assistance with homelessness, placing additional pressure on local authorities. According to Cooper, this situation also needs to be addressed.

Cooper told MPs that the government will publish a statement on asylum policy later this year, which will outline a new system for family migration, aiming to implement some of these changes in the spring.

One aspect of the review will be setting requirements for contributions and waiting periods before newly arrived refugees can apply for family reunification.

“Even just before the pandemic, refugees who applied to bring family to the UK did so on average more than one or two years after they had been granted protection, long enough for them to be able to get jobs or find housing, or be able to provide their family with some support,” she explained, highlighting the need for the planned changes.

The reforms are intended to ensure the safety of asylum seekers, reduce the influence of smugglers, and improve the efficiency of government support for family migration in the UK.

In addition, the Trump administration is reviewing over 55 million foreigners holding valid US visas for potential immigration violations. Violators face visa cancellation and deportation.

Notably, from 2026, the US will begin charging an additional $250 fee for each non-immigrant visa, including tourist, student, work, and exchange visas.