Our Campaigning Priorities

RAMFEL campaigns for a more compassionate immigration and asylum system, centring the needs and preferences of our clients at the heart of our strategic work.

We are currently working on the following campaigns

Cap Settlement routes at 5 years

Currently, it takes 10 years for most people on family/private life visas to qualify for indefinite leave to remain. This is set to increase, with some routes increasing to up to 30 years. They have to renew visas every 30 months, and the government is so overwhelmed with applications that it takes them a year to process even the most straightforward cases. Capping settlement routes at 5 years would allow more people whose future is clearly in the UK to secure their permanent status sooner, and also reduce the government faces in processing so many repeat applications.

Introducing a fee waiver for indefinite leave to remain applications

Did you know it costs £3,029 to secure permanent immigration status? This prices many people, including single parents and children, out of permanent status to which they qualify. We’re calling on the government to introduce a fee waiver option for ILR applications for people who qualify but cannot afford to pay the government thousands of pounds.

Reinstatement and expansion of refugee family reunion

Family reunion was until recently, one of few safe routes for refugees to get to the UK, however in 2025 the government paused family reunion with no indication that it would be reinstated.  We are calling the government to reinstate the route urgently. Even before family reunion was paused, the route excluded many in need. We are also calling for expanded scope, recognising how conflict shapes family dynamics. This will allow more people with clear UK family ties to safely make it to the UK and reduce the need for people to make dangerous journeys.

End the use of hotels as asylum accomadation

Despite what politicians say, asylum hotels are not luxurious. They are awful places, that people should never be housed in for extended periods. They are also run for profit by private companies, who get rich from people's misery. With plans to start housing more people in disused army barracks, conditions could be even worse. The government must move towards community-based housing for people seeking asylum. This will aid social cohesion and save the taxpayer money.