What's happened
Charities are urging the UK government to establish a family reunion pathway for Ukrainians with temporary immigration status. The Home Office's recent changes have left many families, like Maria Kondratska's, separated and struggling amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The situation highlights the urgent need for policy reform to support these vulnerable families.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Andy Gregory in The Independent, the Home Office's changes have 'tearing families apart,' highlighting the plight of individuals like Maria Kondratska, who is fighting for her children's safety. Meanwhile, Holly Bancroft's report emphasizes the distress caused to families detained at Gatwick airport, with the Independent Monitoring Boards calling for the closure of such facilities due to the 'unnecessary suffering' inflicted on children and parents alike. Rajeev Syal from The Guardian echoes these concerns, noting that children are witnessing their parents' distress during deportation processes, which adds to their trauma. These reports collectively underscore the urgent need for policy reform to protect vulnerable families.
How we got here
In February 2024, the UK government altered immigration rules affecting Ukrainians, limiting family reunification options. This change has led to significant distress for families, particularly those with temporary status, as they face separation from loved ones in conflict zones.
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Gatwick Airport, also known as London Gatwick, is a major international airport near Crawley, Sussex, England, 29.5 miles south of Central London. It is the second-busiest airport by total passenger traffic in the UK, after Heathrow Airport. Gatwick is th