Thank you for contacting me about the Immigration and Social Security Coordination Bill. The Bill will provide the legal framework for the future immigration system once the UK leaves the EU, and is not intended to cover areas of law relating to asylum seekers and refugees.
Children with refugee status in the UK cannot sponsor family members to join them. I know you disagree with the justification, but the Government wants to avoid creating any incentives for more children to risk dangerous journeys to the UK. I believe the best interests of children are reflected in staying with their families, claiming asylum in the first safe country they reach and relying on safe and legal routes, for example through resettlement schemes.
The UK has a proud history of providing protection to those who need it and the Government is committed to delivering a fair and humane asylum system. All asylum claims lodged in the UK are carefully considered on their individual merits, and protection is granted where someone has a well-founded fear of persecution or serious harm on return to their country.
Thank you gain for taking the time to contact me.
