Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill [HL]

Key Points

• Extends leave to enter or remain in the UK to the family members of refugees, and to refugees who are family members of British citizens or settled persons.
• Provides for legal aid to support refugee family reunion cases.
• Covers related or connected purposes to enable fuller family reunification and administrative processes.
• In Lords Committee stage, an amendment sought to cap eligible family members at up to two (instead of one or more) which would have narrowed the scope; the amendment was withdrawn and did not become part of the bill.
• The bill has progressed through Lords stages and is now being considered in the Commons (2nd Reading).

Progress

The Bill has passed through the Lords and is now being considered in the House of Commons at its 2nd Reading, with no final policy changes adopted yet due to the withdrawn amendment.