Today Kevin Foster, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Safe and Legal Migration, made a written statement about the launch of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme Pathways 2 and 3. You can see our response to this below, and more information about this scheme here.

Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council said: “We welcome today’s announcement about the next phase of the Government’s support for those in grave danger and their family members following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan – but there remains a glaring omission with regards to Afghan evacuees already here. Government must consider their needs and immediately create a safe route to ensure their family members trapped in Afghanistan facing everyday danger of persecution, or have crossed the border in fear, are able to reunite and find safety in the UK.

“The Government must not choose control over compassion and recognise that everyone should have the right to be with their family, the people that know them best and make them feel safe.  It recognised the need for families to be together when supporting people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine – yet has not honoured this offer more widely to those seeking our protection from Afghanistan. There should be no restriction on this need dressed up within the complexities of the ACRS.

“It is also imperative Afghans here are not looking at another ten months trapped in limbo, living in unsuitable accommodation and are given the support they need and were promised to rebuild their lives and do not miss out on being well settled into local communities regardless of which route they choose to find a home.”

You can view the written statement itself here.