UK Suspends Refugee Family Reunion Applications Amid Anti-Immigration Protests and Far-Right Pressure

The United Kingdom’s Labour government has announced the suspension of its refugee family reunion scheme, a move seen as part of a broader crackdown on immigration amid growing pressure from the far-right Reform UK party.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revealed on Monday that new applications to the refugee family reunion route will be “temporarily” halted while the government drafts new regulations expected by spring next year.

“The system has to be controlled and managed based on fair and properly enforced rules, not chaos and exploitation driven by criminal smuggler gangs,” Cooper told Parliament.

Currently, refugees granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK can apply to bring their children under 18 and their partners if they can prove a relationship of at least two years. However, officials say a sharp rise in applications has strained housing capacity, with many requests being filed within just a month of approval. Planned reforms include longer waiting periods before applying.

Humanitarian groups strongly condemned the suspension. Safe Passage International accused the government of bowing to far-right pressure, warning that the policy will leave vulnerable children “trapped in danger” in war-torn regions such as Afghanistan, Sudan, and Iran. The Refugee Council’s Enver Solomon echoed this concern, stating that the changes will “only push more desperate people into the arms of smugglers.”

The announcement comes amid increasing anti-immigration protests across England, including recent demonstrations outside asylum hotels in Epping. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, facing criticism from Reform UK and its leader Nigel Farage, pledged to speed up efforts to close asylum hotels and secure new return agreements with other countries.

As part of this strategy, the UK and France will launch a “one in, one out” pilot scheme later this month, where approved applicants can enter the UK in exchange for the transfer of asylum seekers to France. The government also plans to create an independent body to manage appeals, with thousands of asylum seekers currently waiting for decisions — an average of 54 weeks.

While Labour insists the changes are necessary to restore order to the asylum system, critics argue the move undermines the UK’s commitment to protecting refugees and their families.