"Safe Passage International, a charity working with unaccompanied children and refugees, has been granted permission to launch a judicial review of the decision to halt refugee family reunion after it claimed the suspension was unlawful. Mr Justice Fordham accepted that the suspension should be open to a legal challenge after the court heard that the decision breaches the Home Office's duty to have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children."
"The Home Office was also accused of failing properly to consider the consequences of its decision, and a possible breach of the Equality Act by not taking into account the effect on women, children, and refugees with disabilities."
"Until then, an adult who was granted refugee status could sponsor their spouse or partner and dependent children under the age of 18 to join them. Between October 2024 and September 2025, the Home Office issued 20,876 refugee family reunion visas. More than half were to children, while 37% were issued to women, the Refugee Council said."
The Home Office's suspension of refugee family reunion rights faces a legal challenge after Safe Passage International secured permission for judicial review. Mr Justice Fordham determined the suspension warrants legal scrutiny, finding potential breaches of the Home Office's duty to safeguard children's welfare and possible violations of the Equality Act regarding impacts on women, children, and disabled refugees. The Home Office allegedly failed to properly consider the decision's consequences. The suspension, announced in September by then home secretary Yvette Cooper, halted the pathway allowing refugees to sponsor spouses, partners, and dependent children under 18. Between October 2024 and September 2025, over 20,876 refugee family reunion visas were issued, with more than half going to children and 37% to women. The suspension is scheduled to last until spring 2026.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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