Hundreds of religious leaders have urged Shabana Mahmood to halt proposals that they say could separate families. In a letter to the Home Secretary, 720 bishops, rabbis, and ministers expressed concerns that changes to family reunion regulations may drive vulnerable individuals towards smuggling networks. They appealed to Ms. Mahmood to reconsider ending the automatic right of reunion for settled refugees.
The faith leaders argue that such actions would contradict British values and various religious beliefs. The Home Office has suspended the ability for newly recognized refugees to bring their families, a decision criticized for potentially increasing the number of women and children resorting to dangerous sea crossings. Ms. Mahmood has indicated that stricter rules will be implemented.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rev Lord Rowan Williams, emphasized the importance of not abandoning unaccompanied children in perilous situations. He questioned society’s commitment to safeguarding children, especially during times of widespread conflict across the world.
A joint letter from the Baptist, Methodist, and United Reformed Churches stressed the significance of families in promoting well-being and integration. The letter highlighted the essential role of family in fostering a sense of belonging, resilience, and hope, warning that restricting safe avenues for family reunion could drive individuals towards illegal networks.
The suspension of family reunions was initiated by former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and continued by Ms. Mahmood, who has introduced measures to combat unlawful migration, including making refugee status temporary. Ms. Mahmood emphasized the necessity of reforming the asylum system to prevent far-right movements from exploiting it.
Ms. Mahmood informed MPs that family reunions remain on hold while new guidelines are devised to align financial and integration requirements with those expected of British citizens. Rabbi David Mason stressed the importance of reuniting families, drawing parallels to historical events like the Kindertransport, which saw many children separated from their families.
Charity Safe Passage International’s CEO, Jo Cobley, condemned the idea of leaving families torn apart by conflict and persecution, describing the emotional toll of separation on children and their caregivers. The Home Office defended the reforms, stating that family reunion will no longer be automatic under the new asylum system.
While around 5,500 family reunion visas were granted annually between 2015 and 2022, the year ending September 2025 witnessed a record-high approval of 20,876 such visas.
