We have signed an open letter to the Home Office with the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) and over 200 others in the immigration and refugee sector, raising our concerns about the digitalisation of immigration status in the UK. We believe it is systematically flawed and the most vulnerable and marginalised migrants could face a Windrush-style scandal.

The letter and a full list of signatories can be read below.

Millions of people’s ability to prove their rights to enter the UK, as well as work, rent, bank and access basic services could be impacted by technical errors, lack of public awareness, an absence of joined-up planning and the lack of a transitional phase after 31 December 2024.

We share ILPA’s view that the Home Office must learn the lessons from issues with the EU Settlement Scheme and the Windrush Scandal and take action to ensure every person can prove and access their status without technological error whenever and wherever they need to. Failure to do so will place millions at risk of facing the hostile environment