Asylum Justice has submitted evidence to the Home Office’s Call for Evidence on the proposed Independent Appeals Body, drawing on our frontline experience representing asylum seekers and refugees across Wales. We are the only organisation in Wales with IAA Level 3 accreditation able to represent people at asylum appeal stage, and we undertake a significant proportion of appeals work in the country, despite having no legal aid contract. Responding to Calls for Evidence allows Asylum Justice to use our frontline experience to amplify the voices of refugees, vulnerable migrants and people seeking asylum, and ensure policymakers hear directly about the realities and consequences of the current asylum and immigration system.  

Our submission highlights the severe crisis in access to immigration and asylum legal advice in Wales. Due to the collapse of specialist legal aid provision, many people who should be entitled to publicly funded representation are unable to find a lawyer. As a result, Asylum Justice is now taking on cases that would previously have been covered by legal aid, including appeals for unaccompanied asylum‑seeking children. Since 2023, we have represented 105 Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children, filling a critical gap in protection. 

Demand for our services is rising sharply. In 2024/25 alone, we saw a 27% increase in enquiries and a 41% increase in clients supported, while operating long waiting lists and under acute resource pressure. Despite these challenges, our work demonstrates the vital importance of quality legal representation: around 70% of the appeals we represent succeed, highlighting the significant impact that effective legal advice and representation can have on asylum outcomes. 

Our response highlights the well-documented evidence that delays and late claims within the asylum appeals system are driven largely by structural and systemic issues. These include long-standing Home Office backlogs and operational challenges, inconsistent initial decision-making, and the impact of legal aid cuts and growing immigration and asylum advice deserts on access to timely legal advice and representation. 

We raise serious concerns that proposals to speed up appeals, including a new 24‑week statutory target, could undermine fairness if introduced without significant investment in legal advice provision and appropriate safeguards. Accelerated timelines make it harder to gather evidence, instruct experts and prepare cases properly, particularly for traumatised and vulnerable individuals. 

Our response emphasises that any new appeals body must be genuinely independent, including operating free from Home Office influence, and must retain core procedural protections such as oral hearings, flexibility where appellants are unrepresented, and strong safeguards for children and other vulnerable groups.  

Without urgent, long‑term investment in the immigration advice sector, there is a risk that reforms could deepen existing injustices rather than deliver a fair and effective appeals system. Asylum Justice will continue both to protect the fundamental human rights of the people we support and to advocate for changes to the systemic issues within the asylum and immigration system that drive demand for our services. 

Key messages from our response 

• Access to justice depends on access to legal advice 
  Any new Independent Appeals Body will struggle to deliver fairness unless asylum appellants can access timely, high-quality legal advice and representation in practice, not just in principle.  

• The legal aid crisis is already placing significant pressure on the appeals system 
  Cuts to legal aid and the growth of immigration advice deserts, particularly in Wales, have resulted in increasing numbers of unrepresented appellants, poorer-quality appeals, and additional pressure on the tribunal system.  

• Representation materially affects outcomes 
  High appeal success rates where appellants are properly represented demonstrate the critical role that legal advisers play in securing fair outcomes.  

• Speed must not override fairness 
  Proposals to accelerate appeals, including a 24-week statutory target, risk repeating the problems associated with previous fast-track systems if introduced without flexibility, safeguards, and adequate preparation time.  

• Core procedural safeguards must be retained 
  Oral hearings, appeal rights on fact and law, flexibility on evidence, and adjournments where fairness requires are essential components of a just appeals system, particularly where appellants are unrepresented or vulnerable.  

• Any new Appeals Body must be genuinely independent 
  Independence requires appropriate separation from Home Office influence or control over procedures, timeframes, and evidential rules to maintain public confidence and uphold the rule of law.  

• Children and vulnerable appellants need specialist protections 
  Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and others with vulnerabilities require child-centred, trauma-informed procedures, appropriately trained decision-makers, and suitable support to participate effectively in the appeals process.  

• Reform should be phased and evidence-led 
  Any new system should be piloted, independently evaluated, and refined before wider rollout to reduce the risk of unintended unfairness or operational failure. 

Asylum Justice hopes that the Government’s review of the asylum appeals system will lead to reforms that strengthen both fairness and efficiency, while ensuring that people seeking protection can access justice in practice. We will continue to work alongside partners, legal professionals and people with lived experience to advocate for an asylum system that is humane, accessible and grounded in the rule of law.

Allegations of malpractice highlighted in recent BBC reporting cannot and must not be weaponised to cast doubt on LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, who overwhelmingly seek protection on the basis of real and well-founded fears of persecution.

We, like others across the sector, condemn the unscrupulous conduct of those who exploit a vulnerable and desperate section of society. This behaviour not only harms those in need, but is also wholly at odds with the values and principles that underpin the wider asylum and human rights sector.

The article arguably attempts to paint a more general picture of an asylum system ripe for misuse by both representative and claimant. The reality is that LGBTQ+ asylum seekers are victims of a culture of disbelief that is deeply entrenched in the Home Office.

Claims based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity account for only around 2% of the total, yet these individuals are routinely forced to reveal personal, intimate details of their lives or face potential refusal.

For instance, same gender couples attempting to “evidence’’ their relationship face a significantly higher burden of proof than that of a heterosexual couple.

We must not divert attention from the systemic barriers and culture of disbelief that LGBTQ+ people face within the asylum system. LGBTQ+ asylum seekers are not a loophole to be closed, but a group entitled to safety, dignity and justice—and that principle must not be compromised.

A trans Bangladeshi asylum seeker has been granted refugee status after years of struggle, supported by our legal team. 

They told what it means to them in their own words:

I wish to express my sincere and heartfelt thanks for all the support, dedication, and hard work you provided throughout my asylum case. I truly appreciate everything you have done for me.

From the beginning until the end of the process, Hussein and Ali treated my case with professionalism, care, and compassion. During a very difficult and stressful period of my life, your guidance, patience, and encouragement meant more to me than words can express. You always took the time to explain things clearly and reassured me whenever I felt anxious or unsure.

I am extremely grateful for your commitment and kindness, and I will always remember the support you gave me during this important chapter of my life. Thank you once again for everything — it has truly made a lasting difference for me and my family.

We are proud to announce that we are one of the supporting organisations—alongside leading refugee rights groups such as Care4Calais, Praxis, and Women for Refugee Women—joining the Together Alliance.

The Together Alliance brings together more than 50 organisations and hundreds of individuals united by a simple, urgent message: enough is enough.

Together, we are organising and mobilising across the country to build a movement of hope over fear, leading up to a major national demonstration in London on 28 March 2026. 

It is with unmeasurable gratitude and deep sadness that we – Asylum Justice – inform you that the indomitable and inspirational Roger Warren-Evans, the founder of Asylum Justice, passed away earlier this week.

When Roger retired after a busy working life as a barrister, he found that refugees were in dire need of good legal immigration advice. He took it upon himself to study and qualify to the highest level of an immigration caseworker and start ‘recruiting’ volunteers to help him run what was the equivalent of a voluntary solicitors’ office.

First in Swansea and Cardiff, later also in Newport, working very long days – and nights – Roger helped thousands of people to get justice. Access to justice meant: taking the time to listen to people’s claim to asylum with empathy and patience, and ensuring fair legal representation. It didn’t necessarily mean that people were granted refugee status.

Nonetheless, they were very grateful for his service. We often heard: ‘Roger was the onlyperson who really listened and explained things to me!’

Asylum Justice stands on the shoulders of this giant trying to continue his legacy of integrity and compassion.

Watch inspiring video on YouTube: Community Project Awards 2010: Asylum Justice, City Church, Cardiff, legal advice for asylum seekers

Asylum Justice has recently been targeted by far-right groups. Both our Deputy Legal Director and I have been targeted in online posts, and hate mail has been sent to our office.

On Wednesday 29 October, I received a further letter that was significantly more threatening in tone. We have reported this to the police and, as a precautionary measure, made the difficult decision to close our office until further notice. We are continuing to support our staff and volunteers and will review the situation regularly.

These incidents are part of a wider rise in anti-migrant rhetoric and far-right activity across Wales and the UK. Asylum Justice operates in an increasingly hostile environment — one where legal support for people seeking sanctuary is not only under-resourced, but now actively threatened by those seeking to undermine human rights and intimidate frontline workers.

These attempts to frighten or silence us will not succeed. We remain firmly committed to our mission – ensuring access to justice for people seeking asylum and other vulnerable migrants, and standing up for a Wales that is safe, inclusive and rights-respecting.

In response to these incidents, we are taking appropriate safeguarding and security steps to protect our staff and volunteers. We are also supporting colleagues who have been personally targeted. It is appalling that we are having to take these steps but we will do what we need to do so we can continue to deliver against our mission. While this has been a difficult experience, we are drawing strength from the resilience of our team and the values that guide our work.

If you are a funder, partner, or ally, we ask for your continued solidarity and support – both in standing with us and in challenging the harmful narratives that are fuelling hate and misinformation. If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to speak with us directly, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

In solidarity,

Ruth Brown

Legal Director

We are devastated by the tragic killing of Ahmad Al Ibrahim, a 16-year-old young person who was under our care and representation at the time of his death.

Ahmad was a kind, thoughtful and resilient young man who had fled conflict and sought safety in the UK. We came to know him during his time in Swansea, and we continued to represent and support him after he moved to Huddersfield to be closer to family. He was excited about this new chapter in his life and hopeful for the future he was building.

The verdict this week, finding his killer guilty of murder, brings accountability — but it cannot undo the horror of losing a young life filled with promise.

Ahmad’s death is not only a personal tragedy — it reflects a wider climate of hostility that young refugees and asylum-seekers are forced to navigate in the UK.

Across the country, we have seen a rise in racist hate crime and anti-migrant violence, fuelled by dehumanising political rhetoric and media scapegoating. That environment leaves young people like Ahmad more vulnerable, even when they begin to feel safe and settled.

His loss is a devastating reminder of how fragile safety can be for those seeking refuge, and how urgently we must confront the racism, neglect, and systemic failings that put young people at risk.

We hold Ahmad in our hearts, and we stand in solidarity with his family, his friends, and the communities mourning him in Swansea, Huddersfield, and beyond. We also stand with every young person who comes to this country in search of safety, and we renew our commitment to fighting for the dignity, protection, and belonging they deserve.

At Asylum Justice, we provide legal representation to refugees and migrants across Wales. We know how vital Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is for families, children, and whole communities.

Nigel Farage’s proposal would not only abolish ILR for future applicants but also take it away from people who already have it. Forcing people to reapply for visas every five years would strip away their security, put families at risk of separation, and leave thousands of people who have already built their lives here in permanent uncertainty. It would also create unnecessary bureaucracy and destabilise public services that depend on long-term residents.

There isn’t a general election for another three to four years — this is a cynical attempt by Reform UK to stir up anti-migrant sentiment, targeting people who have already made the UK their home.

ILR is about recognising when someone has made the UK their home. Removing it would be cruel, chaotic, and a betrayal of fairness and justice. We call on all political parties to reject any attempt to dismantle ILR and instead support families to live stable, secure lives in this country.

The UK government’s decision to tighten rules around refugee family reunions is a direct attack on refugees and the safe routes that allow them to reach protection. By suspending the program and setting high barriers, it is forcing families to make dangerous journeys, leaving loved ones trapped in life-threatening situations for years. This isn’t just bureaucracy—it is a policy that puts lives at risk and prevents vulnerable people from being with those who can keep them safe.

This decision is part of a worrying trend of growing hostility towards refugees and people seeking safety. From harsh immigration rules to shutting down the very ways families can be reunited, the government is making it harder for people to find protection in the UK. In doing so, it adds to the trauma people fleeing conflict already face, and turns its back on the basic principles of compassion and human decency.

Wales, as a nation of sanctuary, has promised that anyone seeking refuge will be met with welcome, understanding, and a celebration of the contributions they bring to Welsh life. The Welsh Government must stand by that commitment, resisting policies that put families in danger and ensuring that people can be reunited safely.

Families belong together.

We Exist Legal is a new project providing free legal advice and representation to Trans+ people navigating the UK’s asylum and immigration system. The service is a collaboration between grassroots Trans+ mutual aid group We Exist and legal charity Asylum Justice, and is delivered by Hussein Said – an experienced solicitor specialising in LGBTQ+ asylum law and a member of both organisations.

This initiative was created in direct response to the systemic barriers Trans+ people face when seeking asylum – barriers that go far beyond the usual flaws of the UK asylum system.

Why Trans+ people need specialist legal support

Trans+ asylum seekers often find themselves disbelieved, misunderstood, or mistreated by a system that was never designed to recognise or respect their experiences. Decision-makers frequently lack the legal and cultural understanding to assess Trans+ claims fairly. Applicants are subjected to invasive and humiliating questioning, and often expected to produce evidence that doesn’t reflect the realities of gender transition or persecution.

Many Trans+ asylum seekers are repeatedly misgendered by officials and receive correspondence addressed to their former (‘dead’) names – a dehumanising and avoidable error that causes serious distress. Others are placed in accommodation that is unsafe or inappropriate, isolated from community support, and at particular risk if detained.

At the same time, Legal Aid has been stripped back, and the hostile environment continues to make accessing justice increasingly difficult.

A community-led legal response

We Exist Legal was created to meet these challenges head-on. The service is led by Hussein Said, solicitor at Asylum Justice, a nationally recognised expert in LGBTQ+ asylum law, and member of We Exist – a Trans Collective and mutual aid group organised by a team of artists and activists in London and Cardiff in 2020, grounded in the principle that we are all responsible for caring for one another and changing our collective conditions through solidarity, not charity. By combining grassroots organising with legal expertise, We Exist Legal offers trauma-informed, strategic legal support which is rooted in trust, dignity, and a deep understanding of what Trans+ people face in the UK immigration system.

Accessing the service

We Exist Legal is currently able to take on up to three new legal cases per month with a particular focus on those based in Wales.

All legal work is delivered by Asylum Justice in close collaboration with We Exist, ensuring that the service is both expert-led and community-connected.

To access the service or make a referral, email: info [at] weexist.org.uk.