Recent figures reveal a concerning trend in Afghan migration to the UK, with nearly as many Afghans arriving irregularly across the English Channel as through official routes in the year leading up to March. A total of 5,662 Afghans made the perilous journey across the Channel during this period, while an additional 350 arrived via insufficiently documented air arrivals, totaling 6,012 individuals. Notably, 758 unaccompanied Afghan minors applied for asylum after crossing the Channel, making Afghans the most common nationality among unaccompanied children seeking asylum.
In parallel, 6,042 Afghans were resettled in the UK under official government schemes following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), implemented in January 2022, saw 1,854 Afghan nationals arriving through various pathways. These pathways prioritize individuals who assisted UK efforts in Afghanistan, as well as vulnerable groups, including women and minority members deemed at risk.
However, while resettlements under ‘pathway three’ increased significantly, arrivals under ‘pathway one’ saw a drastic decline, raising concerns about the accessibility of resettlement for vulnerable individuals. The government’s commitment to expedite referrals for eligible partners and dependents is crucial in addressing this issue.
The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme, launched in April 2021 to assist Afghans who worked for the British government in Afghanistan, witnessed a 25% increase in arrivals, highlighting the ongoing need for safe migration pathways.
NGOs like Safe Passage International stress the urgency of providing safer routes for refugees and easing family reunion rules, citing the success of similar initiatives for Ukrainian war refugees. They emphasize that children’s lives depend on swift action to ensure their safety and well-being amidst ongoing conflict and instability.