Information on the theme

Syrians and Iraqi refugees (Wikimedia Commons)

What is a refugee?

The definition of a refugee is someone who: 'owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his/her nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country'

(Article 1, 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees)

What is an asylum seeker?

'Asylum seeker' is a label used by government officials and others for people who are yet to be formally granted refugee status in their chosen country. This does not mean that they are not refugees, but that their status as such has not yet been recognised by the government. This is often because they are awaiting a decision on their asylum application. In the UK, until they receive a decision on their application a person seeking asylum does not have the same rights as someone granted refugee status, or a British citizen. For example, people seeking asylum aren't allowed to work.

The right to seek asylum is a legal right we all share. It isn't illegal to seek asylum, because seeking asylum is a legal process. It also isn't illegal to have been refused asylum - it just means that the government refused a person's application for refugee status on that occasion. In the UK, more than half of the people who are initially refused will ultimately be granted asylum after appealing the decision.

What's the difference between migrant and immigrant?

A migrant is a broad term for anyone who moves from one place to another, either within or across borders, for any reason and for any duration, while an immigrant specifically refers to someone who has moved to a new country with the intention of settling there permanently.

Columbans with migrants in Chile

International

How many global refugees and forcibly displaced people are there?

As of the end of 2024, 123.2 million people had been forced to flee their homes globally due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order.

Among them were nearly 42.7 million refugees, living outside their own countries. In addition, there were 73.5 million people displaced within the borders of their own countries and 8.4 million asylum-seekers.

Nearly three-quarters of refugees are hosted in low and middle income countries, often neighbouring their own country of origin.

At a time when more than 1 in every 67 people on Earth has been forced to flee, hope and solidarity are key for refugees to rebuild their lives.


Major hosting countries

Iran and Turkey host the largest number of refugees globally, with a significant portion of these individuals fleeing conflict in nearby regions. Turkey hosts more than 3 million refugees, primarily from Syria.

Colombia hosts 1.7 million refugees.

Germany ranks among the top refugee-hosting countries, particularly for those seeking asylum in Europe.

(United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)

UK Asylum

There were 85,112 asylum applications in the UK in the year to March 2025. The top five countries of origin of people seeking asylum were Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Bangladesh and Syria. In terms of the number of asylum applications per head of population, the UK ranks 17th highest in Europe.

At the end of March 2025, 106,771 people seeking asylum were being supported by the UK Government. Of those, 32,345 (30%) were living in hotels, down 42% from the peak of 56,042 at the end of September 2023. People seeking asylum are banned from working and are provided from the government with £9.95 per person a week if their meals are provided with their accommodation, and £49.18 a week if not.

(Refugee Council)

Scotland hosts about 6,000 asylum seekers, the majority of them in Glasgow.

Small boats crossing the Channel

The UK's Home Office reported around 43,309 arrivals in small boats in 2025 to the end of June. There was an average of 54 people per small boat, and they included men, women and children. Between April 2024 and Match 2025, six in ten of small boat arrivals were from just five nationalities: Afghan (15%), Syrian (11%), Eritrean (11%), Iranian (11%), and Sudanese (8%).

A total of 77 people lost their lives attempting to cross the Channel between France and England in 2024, according to the French authorities.

Refugees on a boat (Wikimedia Commons)

Since January 2018, three-quarters (75%) of small boat arrivals have been adult males aged 18 and over. Almost one-sixth (16%) of detected small boat arrivals have been children aged 17 and under. These proportions have generally been similar each year; however, in the first 6 months of 2025, only 10% of detected small boat arrivals were children.

Since January 2022, 95% of those who crossed the Channel claimed asylum in the UK, and a third are still waiting for a decision. Of those who did receive a decision, 51,361 (66%) were grants of protection.

(UK Government figures)


Are there many refugees and asylum seekers in the UK?

According to UNHCR statistics, only half a per cent (0.54%) of the UK's total population is a refugee or asylum seeker.

2025 annual Migrants Mass at Westminster Cathedral

Links

Together with Refugees

Seeking Sanctuary

Refugee Council

Ireland Asylum

Irish asylum applications are officially called International Protection Applications. They are for people fleeing persecution or serious harm who apply at the International Protection Office (IPO). Since January 2017, the International Protection Office (IPO) has been responsible for receiving and examining applications.

As of February 2025, 112,189 people registered for temporary protection in Ireland. The majority of these applications were due to the war in Ukraine. In 2024 18,560 applications related to international protection. The total number of people residing in international protection accommodation was around 32,000 in September 2024.

However, the number of people applying for international protection in Ireland in 2025 fell by more than 40% over the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2024. The total number of applications made between January and March 2025 stood at 3,021, compared to 5,162 during the first three months of last year.

The largest number of international protection applicants have come from Nigeria. The remaining top five countries from where people sought asylum in March included Pakistan, Somalia and Afghanistan.


The Facts: Irish Context

Under the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 2015 International Protection Act, Ireland must process applications of people fleeing war and persecution.

International protection applicants stay in Direct Provision centres - ranging from centres to hotels, guesthouses, vacant offices, and tents - while awaiting decisions. They cannot access social housing or homeless services. Due to accommodation shortages, thousands are currently homeless.

Asylum seekers in Ireland can work if they have been waiting for at least six months for a decision on their international protection application and have been granted Labour Market Access (LMA) permission.

In June 2024, the average waiting time for a decision was around 18 months. On average an appeal takes 8.5 months to receive a decision from the International Protection Appeal Tribunal (IPAT).

More information: https://www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie/get-the-facts-irish-context and https://nascireland.org/

Refugee Challenges

Hostile environment

The term "Hostile Environment" describes policies which make life difficult for migrants living in the UK - treating them as less deserving of dignity and humanity than British citizens.

More specifically, it is a set of policies introduced in 2012 by then-Home Secretary Theresa May, with the aim of making life difficult in the UK for those who cannot show the right paperwork. Or, as she said at the time; "The aim is to create, here in Britain, a really hostile environment for illegal immigrants."

To achieve this, the Government set about trying to cut undocumented migrants off from using fundamental services including the NHS and state support, and made it illegal to work, or for a landlord to rent them a property.

Vigil supporting refugees and migrants

Migrants are often afraid to go to the doctor or to ask the police for help. Yet the Home Office itself has admitted that the "vast majority" of undocumented people have done, and will do, nothing wrong.

Summer 2025 has seen protests outside some hotels housing migrants in England and Scotland. In most cases, counter protests have highlighted that asylum seekers should be welcomed rather than targeted.


Detention

The UK Government has the power to detain people who are here seeking refuge. Sometimes, this even includes children. There is no maximum time limit in place for people held in detention, meaning people can be held indefinitely.


Destitution

People seeking asylum can apply for asylum support, which is around £7.00 a day for most people. This is barely enough for a return bus journey or ingredients for a nutritious meal. While people wait to hear back on their asylum claim, they are not permitted to work. Many have been in the asylum system for years, sometimes over a decade. The government does provide asylum accommodation for people seeking asylum, but this is often single hotel rooms - often with no cooking facilities - or unsuitable housing.

The moment someone receives a positive decision on their asylum claim should be one of celebration and relief, an end to instability and the start of a bright future where they are able to establish new lives in the UK. Instead, many newly-recognised refugees experience homelessness and/or destitution at this point. This is because when refugees receive a positive decision on their asylum claim, just 28 days later they have to leave their Home Office accommodation and their financial support stops. Faced with no support to find new housing, open a bank account and secure income, among other activities needed before being evicted, many refugees are at significant risk of homelessness and/or destitution.


Family separation

Refugees face huge challenges in reuniting with their separated families. War and persecution often divide refugees from their families, but there are few straightforward, legal ways for refugees to join loved ones in Britain safely. On 1 September 2025, the UK government temporarily suspended new applications for a scheme allowing refugees to bring their family members to the UK.


Isolation

People are often left to wait for months or years for a decision on their claim. Lack of access to English language lessons leaves many asylum seekers unable to integrate.

Ten common statements you may hear about Asylum Seekers
and how to respond with facts

1. "Asylum seekers are illegal immigrants."

Seeking asylum is not illegal and this includes any person seeking sanctuary who may arrive in a small boat. Seeking asylum is a legal right under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.

2. "They're just here to claim benefits."

Asylum seekers cannot access normal benefits. They receive only minimal support and usually cannot work.

3. "The UK takes in more asylum seekers than anyone else."

The UK receives fewer asylum seekers than many countries, including Germany, France, and Lebanon.

4. "Most asylum claims are fake."

Almost half of claims are granted at the first stage, and many appeals are successful, showing the system recognises genuine cases.

5. "Asylum seekers are a burden."

Refugees contribute skills, resilience, and cultural diversity. Once allowed to work, they support local economies and communities.

6. "They should just apply from abroad."

Safe legal routes are extremely limited. International law allows people to apply once they reach the UK.

7. "They're all young men."

Women, children, and families also seek asylum. Young men often travel first because the journey is too dangerous for vulnerable family members.

8. "They get housing ahead of locals."

Asylum seekers cannot choose where they live. They are housed in temporary accommodation and do not take priority over council housing lists.

9. "They must stay in the first safe country."

International law does not require this. Many seek safety in the UK because of family, language, or community connections.

10. "We need to protect our women and children from asylum seekers."

This claim plays on fear, but there is NO evidence that asylum seekers are more likely to commit crimes than the general population. People seeking sanctuary are often women and children fleeing violence, seeking the same protection and safety we want for our own families.


The truth is that people seeking sanctuary are people fleeing war and persecution. By challenging myths with facts, we help build understanding and compassion.

Source: Community Integration Advocacy Centre (CIAC)

Ireland

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Britain

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