IRC UK Response to Proposed Restrictions on Refugee Resettlement and Family Reunion

London, United Kingdom, October 2, 2025 —  Flora Alexander, Executive Director of the International Rescue Committee UK, said,

“The government’s decision to strip refugees of resettlement and family reunion rights is a devastating blow to those families seeking safety from conflict, crisis, and persecution. 

Family reunion is not a ‘golden ticket’ - it’s a lifeline. It enables protection, supports integration, and reduces the desperation that fuels irregular crossings. Removing this route doesn’t fix the system, it fractures families and pushes more people into the hands of smugglers.

For many, particularly women and children, family reunion has been the only way to reach safety without resorting to dangerous journeys across the Channel. With global resettlement quotas collapsing and no viable alternatives in place, removing this route leaves families stranded and vulnerable.

We urge the government to reconsider these changes and ensure that those seeking safety are met with practical, humane solutions that reflect the UK's proud tradition of refugee protection.”