December 2009
Inclusive Neighbourhood Project Launched
Corrymeela  Community in partnership with the Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers has launched The Inclusive Neighbourhood Project. This initiative seeks to support integration between the host community and the refugee community in Northern Ireland. For more on the project, link to the relevant section on the Corrymeela website here.

November 2009
Kazadi Family given leave to remain. 
Paul Kazadi of NICRAS, and Chair of the Refugee Action Group, along with his family has been granted indefinite leave to remain. For the family this is a welcome outcome to a long campaign. See www.kazadifamily.co.uk for details. We congratulate the family on this outcome and remember others who await interviews, results of their claims or live in fear of removal following an unsuccessful application.

Report launched on the Impact of the Economic Downturn on the Polish Community
A new report was launched at the 2009 NICEM AGM, entitled Za Chlebem: The Impact of the Economic Downturn on the Polish Community in Northern Ireland, it includes reflections from Polish migrant workers on their experience of life here. It was prepared by Dr Robbie McVeigh and Chris McAfee for NICEM and can be accessed here. 

September 2009
New report finds serious human rights concerns for homeless non-UK nationals.
On 1st September the NI Human Rights Commission launched No Home From Home, an investigative report into homelessness and people who are excluded from accessing public funds. The report shows that restrictions in current immigration legislation often prevent access to even the most basic levels of support from government agencies. Personal accounts from homeless individuals reveal experiences of domestic violence, ill-health and racial intimidation. A number of recommendations are included the most pressing of these being that, regardless of nationality or immigration status, no one is allowed to fall into destitution. For further information on the report or to request a hard copy email information@nihrc.org, a PDF version is available here, the report and other related resources are available on the NI Human Rights Commission Website. 

March 2009
NI Human Rights Commission calls for Abolition of Workers Registration Scheme
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has submitted evidence to the UK Border Agency calling for the abolition of the Worker Registration Scheme. Under this scheme migrants from A8 Accession states such as Poland and Slovenia who come to live and work in Northern Ireland must complete a continuous period of 12 months registered work. Those who do not meet the strict requirements of the scheme are denied access to essential services such as homelessness support and welfare benefits. The Commission has found that this is leading to severe hardship and suffering. Read the Press Release in full here.

Human Rights concern over land border checks
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has voiced concerns that Government plans to introduce checks on people crossing the land border may  lead to racial discrimination. These plans are part of a package of reforms to the Common Travel Area (CTA) between the UK and Ireland  which include ending the CTA as a passport free zone on air and sea routes. The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill which will introduce these reforms if passed through Parliament is due to be debated in the House of Lords today [4th March]. Read the Press Release in full here.  

January 2009
New Report on Migration and Integration
The Equality Commission report, New Migration, Equality and Integration: Issues and Challenges for Northern Ireland, by Neil Jarman and Agnieszka Martynowicz highlights recent developments in immigation. The report is available here.