Country / Territory
Last week I had the pleasure of opening and closing Fragomen UK's latest immigration seminar. Rather than a technical update, this was a panel discussion on Brexit and how it would affect immigration policy...very timely the day before the official campaign started. We had almost 100 attendees from business, business groups, government officials and diplomats. Clearly a sign that the debate is hotting up!
Our panel of speakers were:
-
Baron David Blunkett, former Labour Home Secretary
-
Peter Lilly MP, former Secretary of State for Trade, amongst other roles in successive Conservative Governments
-
Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh MP, Scottish National Party spokesperson on Trade
-
Gerwyn Davies, Labour Market Advisor for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Last of all we had the excellent Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future, present his work on How (not) to talk about immigration and chair our panel.
Sunder's work on Europe was fascinating. British Future have looked at how both sides of the EU referendum debate should, or rather should not, present their case.
The full British Future report is worth a look and two points stood out for me. Firstly those looking to leave the EU should think carefully before talking about immigration. It turns people off and is not everyone's first concern.
Those who want to remain also need to think carefully about how they present their arguments. A tendency to use technical, complicated language doesn't work.
The panel had a robust and fascinating debate about immigration. We covered everything from skills shortages and wage depression to the migrant crisis and migrant camps in Calais.
I can't say there was a great deal of consensus, but the debate was all the richer for it. Feedback was that attendees could have listened for twice the time (sadly not feedback we have on our regular technical updates, which do not stir up similar passion).
That said, there was agreement from all panellists on one important point.
It isn't good enough that Europeans already here don't know what a Brexit would mean for them. All the panelists agreed that it would be wrong (and legally difficult) to make them leave the UK. And, crucially, they agreed that both sides of the debate should make it clear that they would not be.
Let’s see what the next few weeks bring ...interesting times ahead.
Country / Territory
Explore more at Fragomen
Blog post
This blog considers how employer sponsorship of long-term residence permits in Europe could be a means for retaining their talent.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni and Senior Associate Xiaodan (Susan) Song help international commercial enterprise investors make informed decisions by explaining the differences between EB-5 rural projects and high unemployment projects.
Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses how those planning to attend the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games in Paris can prepare for their trip from an immigration perspective.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of immigration programs and relief options by USCIS for Venezuelan nationals amidst the political and economic crisis in Venezuela.
Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés shares why Ireland needs a standardised visa system that’s faster and more consistent.
Blog post
This blog discusses Australia's Resident Return visa and its associated "compelling reasons" criteria.
Blog post
Senior Associate Sarah Melnick discusses the available immigration options for individuals not selected in this year's H-1B Cap Lottery.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha dados recentes sobre o aumento de vistos de trabalho para profissionais da produção de proteína halal.
Fragomen news
Silicon Valley Managing Partner Kristi Nevarez is recognized as an honoree in the Silicon Valley Business Journal's 2024 Latinx Business Leadership Awards.
Blog post
This blog considers how employer sponsorship of long-term residence permits in Europe could be a means for retaining their talent.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni and Senior Associate Xiaodan (Susan) Song help international commercial enterprise investors make informed decisions by explaining the differences between EB-5 rural projects and high unemployment projects.
Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses how those planning to attend the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games in Paris can prepare for their trip from an immigration perspective.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of immigration programs and relief options by USCIS for Venezuelan nationals amidst the political and economic crisis in Venezuela.
Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés shares why Ireland needs a standardised visa system that’s faster and more consistent.
Blog post
This blog discusses Australia's Resident Return visa and its associated "compelling reasons" criteria.
Blog post
Senior Associate Sarah Melnick discusses the available immigration options for individuals not selected in this year's H-1B Cap Lottery.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha dados recentes sobre o aumento de vistos de trabalho para profissionais da produção de proteína halal.
Fragomen news
Silicon Valley Managing Partner Kristi Nevarez is recognized as an honoree in the Silicon Valley Business Journal's 2024 Latinx Business Leadership Awards.