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After years of struggle, the Rahimi family finally received notification on Monday May 12th 2008 that they have been granted leave to remain in the UK.

Common sense has prevailed - failed asylum seekers are entitled to free healthcare

ASIRT would like to welcome the High Court ruling on 11 April 2008 that ruled that restrictions on NHS healthcare were unlawful. In a Judicial Review at the Royal Courts of Justice, Lord Justice Mitting has ruled that charging people who have been refused asylum (but are unable to leave the UK) for NHS treatment is illegal. This means that anyone who's been refused asylum but is awaiting removal now has full entitlement to NHS services The court ruled that failed asylum seekers, until their removal from the UK, should be considered by law to be ordinary residents and entitled to NHS care. Now this ruling will ensure that all asylum seekers who have cooperated with the Home Office, but cannot yet return home, have a right to be cared for in NHS hospitals.

"No recourse, no safety" – The Government failure to protect women from violence

Important information:
UK Border Agency’s Case Resolution “Family Questionnaire” Exercise

We have been advised by the Border Agency that this exercise has now finished and that they will be issuing no new questionnaires.

We are aware that many people in the West Midlands are living as a part of a family, have been in the UK for more than 3 years and are receiving packages of accommodation and support from the order Agency but have NOT received a questionnaire, despite appearing to be eligible for consideration under the exercise.

We have brought this to the attention of the UK Border Agency, who are investigating the situation and will be giving us advice on what people should do if they did not receive a questionnaire but apparently should have.

We have also sought clarification from the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA).

As soon as we have some clear guidance from either the UKBA or ILPA about this situation, we will share it.

Until then, we regret that we are unable to provide any practical help to people enquiring about the non-appearance of a questionnaire.

ASIRT is happy to see the results of the Independent Asylum Commission (IAC) work over 18 months, and publication of their interim findings on theUK’s asylum system. They have found that 'The UK's treatment of asylum seekers falls "seriously below" the standards of a civilized society'.

We are pleased that we were given an opportunity to participate in the work of the IAC by providing a witness statement from ASIRT’s Manager Mr Dave Stamp as well as by providing a witness statement from one of our clients who is a destitute asylum seeker.

ASIRT was also happy to support researchers producing the new Children Society report "Living on the edge of despair: destitution amongst asylum seeking and refugee children"

ASIRT Thursday "drop-in" service

In partnership with our colleagues at the My Time counselling project, we are pleased to be able to offer a new and enhanced Thursday "drop-in" service.

In addition to the advocacy and representation provided by ASIRT's advice team, our My Time colleagues, as part of their Sanctuary project, will be on hand to offer counselling and therapeutic support to users of our services.

Furthermore, in recognition of the destitution into which all too many of our clients have been forced as the result of legislative changes, we are offering visitors to our "drop-in" sessions fresh fruit in what we hope to be sufficient quantities for people to take away with them to last the week, as well as a delicious and nutritious cooked lunch, provided by our friends at Annapurna.

For further information, contact Dave Stamp at ASIRT on 0121 772 6700 or Michael Lilley at My Time on 0121 766 6699.