| Series Title | EurActiv |
|---|---|
| Series Details | 03.08.15 |
| Publication Date | 03/08/2015 |
| Content Type | News |
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In response to the perceived 'Calais migrant crisis' news sources on the 3 August 2015 said that the United Kingdom would soon introduce new laws to reduce the UK's appeal as a migrant destination. For example, immigrants living in Britain illegally would face immediate eviction from rental properties. Landlords who failed to check the immigration status of tenants could be fined or imprisoned for up to five years under a new criminal offence to be included in a new Immigration Bill. Financial support for failed asylum seekers would also end under the proposed plans. On the 3 August 2015 the UK's Department for Communities and Local Government issued a press release 'New measures to crackdown on illegal immigrants renting properties' as part of this action. Further measures were due to be announced by the Home Office on the 4 August 2015. In a statement issued on the 4 August 2015 the European Commission said that it outlined to France and the UK the support the Commission was able to offer – for instance, the European Asylum Support Office would be able to help with the processing of asylum applications and the European Borders Agency, Frontex, could help identify and register migrants, collaborate with countries of origin and transit to speed up the issuing of travel documents for return, and coordinate and finance joint return operations. The Commission also confirmed that it would now disburse the first instalment of €20m in national funding under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund for France. The Commission had already granted the UK a pre-financing of about €27m. This finance came from the total of over €266m earmarked for France and over €370m earmarked for the UK for the period covering 2014-20. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) made a renewed call on the 7 August 2015 for a comprehensive response to the worsening reception conditions for refugees and migrants in Calais. 'We ... call on the United Kingdom and other EU member states to work in a collaborative manner with the competent French authorities in finding solutions for those in need of international protection'. UNHCR said the situation in Calais was a reflection of broader refugee and migration movements in Europe which, in turn, were dwarfed by huge refugee displacements in the Middle East and Africa. The situation in Calais had highlighted the need for greater responsibility and coordination and robust implementation of the Common European Asylum System. |
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| Source Link | http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/illegal-immigrants-face-eviction-without-court-order-under-new-uk-law |
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| Subject Categories | Employment and Social Affairs, Justice and Home Affairs |
| Countries / Regions | Europe, France, United Kingdom |
