Nando Sigona offers his views on Cameron's u-turn on refugee children from within the EU on BBC News. In brief, Nando argues that it is a welcome development, particularly because it is the first time in the current refugee crisis the UK government is accepting refugees already in the EU. However, the details of the... Continue Reading →
Leave or remain? Diary of an EU citizen in the UK
Bitter sweet pre- and post- EU referendum diary by Nando Sigona coming to term as many EU long-term residents in the UK with a referendum in which so much is at stake for them but with no right to vote. Catch up with all episodes in here!
EU migrants and access to benefits: where’s the controversy?
By Jenny Phillimore @japhillimore This week Jeremy Corbyn, on a visit to Brussels, is expected to criticise David Cameron’s call for an ‘emergency brake’ on benefits for new migrants. In a break with popular opinion, Corbyn will describe Cameron’s demands as potentially discriminatory. Corbyn’s actions are seen as high-risk and controversial because they are so... Continue Reading →
Juncker appeals to European hearts with refugee plan, but one leader is already shaking his head
Nando Sigona, University of Birmingham The refugee crisis and how to handle it has occupied the agenda of Jean-Claude Juncker’s European Commission presidency. It has been less than a year since he took office, during which time Europe has been plunged into the largest refugee crisis since World War II. It is no surprise therefore... Continue Reading →
The refugee crisis and the UK’s PR politics
by Nando Sigona The refugee crisis is now – in Budapest, Kos, Lesvos, Calais, Pozzallo, Zuwarah, but the UK government pledges to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees over five years (i.e. 4000 a year). Are Cameron & co. expecting the civil war to last that long or are they playing a game of cynical math wizardry? What... Continue Reading →
New UK government out of ideas on immigration, says Nando Sigona
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT6fHG0EcRI&feature=youtu.be]
Asylum crisis? What crisis?
by Jenny Phillimore @japhillimore With the monthly asylum application figures published today and these demonstrating a 527 reduction in the number of asylum seekers making their claims on British soil from 2751 in January 2015 and from 2370 the equivalent period last year, I find myself wondering why have the numbers decreased? Indeed the general... Continue Reading →
Migration, social networks and integration: new IRiS Working Papers out
Two new IRiS Working Papers (no. 6 and 7) exploring issues related migration, social networks and integration policy and practice are out today. Using a wide range of literature, Dr Marta Kindler and colleagues (IRiS WP no. 6) focus upon the ways in which social networks and social capital have been found to promote or... Continue Reading →
In an era of superdiversity we need to radically rethink integration, says Nando Sigona at Bright Blue’s Immigration Commission
In September 2014, the Conservative think-tank Bright Blue hosted an oral evidence session on immigration. A team of high-profile commissioners interviewed experts from academia, government, journalism, the third sector and business. There were eight main sessions: business and growth; work and poverty; education, research, innovation and skills; local communities and public services; refugees, border control, visas and detention... Continue Reading →

