Congratulations to @bevcraig.bsky.social on becoming the new Mayor of Greater Manchester. Being Mayor is an opportunity to bring positive change to the region “for us”, using the very motto at the heart of her campaign. We hope that “for us” means all of us, regardless of their immigration status.

The government is under pressure. There’s still time to stop “earned settlement”. Write to your MP today to ask them to speak up for our communities. To find out how to use this digital postcard or write to your MP another way, read our blog: gmiau.org/write-to-you...

Team GMIAU at Manchester Legal Walk 2026! 👣 A huge thank you to everyone who generously donated and helped make this year such a success 👏 . It was great to come together to raise money for The Access to Justice Foundation at a time when the demand for free legal advice has never been greater.

It's #RefugeeWeek2026, a week to recognise the courage we see every day in the people we support💚. People seeking sanctuary are courageous. Risking your life in search of safety takes immense bravery. But no one should have to take dangerous journeys to find protection. Safe routes are needed now.

On 25 June 2026, team GMIAU are taking part in the Manchester Legal Walk to raise funds for the Access to Justice Foundation - the only funder solely dedicated to increasing the availability of free legal support, advice and representation across the UK 🚶‍♀️ . ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.justgiving.com/page/manches...

We have published 2 guides to responding to the government's "family returns" consultation which closes on 28th May 2026. - A general guide for anyone who wishes to respond: gmiau.org/guide-to-the... - A guide specifically for local authorities: gmiau.org/family-retur...

🗣️We are looking to recruit a qualified solicitor or IAA level 2/3 advisor who is also an IAAS Senior Caseworker to strengthen our team! There is no deadline. This is an open, ongoing job post, and we will review all applications as we receive them on an ongoing basis. gmiau.org/job-opportun...

It was a powerful event, grounded in its theme of moving from harm to repair. In the words of the Windrush Commissioner, Clive Foster MBE, “Justice without care is not justice at all.” Thanks again to everyone involved who made it happen.

On Saturday, we attended the Windrush Voices Liverpool event which we were proud to sponser. A huge thank you to the hosts, Liverpool Advocates for Windrush and the Office of the Windrush Commissioner, for a brilliant day that brought together so many people to share their experiences and connect.

The Greater Manchester Asylum Hotels Group has released its vision for how people should be housed while awaiting an asylum decision. Their vision is a reminder that, whatever comes next, human beings must remain at the centre. Please read and share widely: gmiau.org/greater-manc...

Together with @migrantfundgm.bsky.social we have produced an information sheet about local authority support for destitute families in GM. This information is aimed at families themselves, and services supporting them, to identify a potential pathway out of destitution. gmiau.org/section-17-s...

3/ They also seek to override existing local authority duties to support families and young people. 📢We must resist these changes in their entirety. Fill out the consultation by 28th May 2026. 🤳Share our post on instagram: www.instagram.com/p/DXPBEOoF01...

🚨We have published a guide to responding to the government’s “family returns” consultation which closes on 28th May 2026🚨 It breaks down the questions, and shares what you may wish to consider in your own answers to the consultation: gmiau.org/guide-to-the...

🚨On Saturday 18th April there will be a racist, anti-migration march in Manchester City Centre🚨 Please know that these people coming to MCR to protest are the minority, and they do not speak for our communities. The people at this protest may be violent - please take care if you are in the area.

✍️WRITE TO YOUR MP! The Govt’s ‘earned settlement’ plans are still being decided. With more and more MPs speaking out, now is a chance to ask your MP to push back on these proposals before it is too late. It's important to make your voice heard. Use our template: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

We are proud to support this event, which will bring together members of the Windrush community to connect, share experiences, and access important advice. Nicola, GMIAU solicitor who leads the Windrush Initiative, will be attending alongside other expert professionals. Sign up details below...

Earlier this year, we launched a briefing on settlement and citizenship for children in care. It is based on the experiences of young people in Greater Manchester who we have supported with their immigration or citizenship applications.

6. Tania shared a powerful testament to how punishing the 10-year route really is, and why all routes to settlement should be capped at 5 years, not extended in ways that cement the insecurity and struggle people already face.

5. We heard from brilliant speakers including Hannah Spencer (gorton & Denton MP) and Tania, one of our community organisers, who spoke on behalf of our action group THE VOICE.

2. In Parliament, we met with our MPs to talk about why we fundamentally disagree with the idea of ‘earned settlement’. Not least because of the racism that underpins these proposals, but also because of the very real impact they would have on our communities.

💚THREAD: Yesterday we, alongside many other brilliant organisations, campaign groups and community leaders, travelled from Manchester to London to join the Mass Lobby against the government’s proposed ‘earned settlement’ plans.

We're on our way to London to join a mass lobby to talk to our MPs about the Government's plans for earned settlement. We say NO to earned settlement! We’re grateful to be joined by so many amazing organisations and grassroots campaign groups who are showing the power of our community ✊🏼 ❤️

Our Policy Officer Rivka appeared on Talk to remind listeners that there are human beings impacted by this barrage of hostility.

NEWS: Yesterday, Nelson Shardey was granted British citizenship following a ceremony at Wallasey Town Hall. A local legend, Nelson has been in the UK for 49 years, since 1977. He hit headlines in 2024 when, represented by GMIAU, he legally challenged the Home Office.

A message of solidarity from us following the targeting of Manchester Central Mosque. Everyone must feel safe to gather and worship, and nobody should be threatened because of their religion or the colour of their skin or their immigration status. 💚

THE VOICE, an Action Group of Women on the 10 year route to settlement, supported by GMIAU, responded to the Government’s “earned settlement” consultation. Here is a snippet of what they had to say:

We have heard that there will be racist protests in Manchester this Saturday which may be violent (21 Feb). Please take care if you are in the area. Please know that these people coming to Manchester to protest are the minority - they do not speak for our community who stand in solidarity with you.

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to fill in the Government’s “earned settlement” consultation, we know it wasn’t easy! ✍️ Even though the consultation has closed, your voice still matters. Writing to your MP and sharing how you feel about the changes can make a real difference.

A message of solidarity and hope for anyone who needs it, from a young person in our All4One youth group. 💚

There are only 7 days left to have your say about the government’s changes to earned settlement. 📖 Our guide breaks down the different questions, what they mean, and ways that you can answer. Please take the opportunity to share your voice. Consultation closes on 12 Feb. gmiau.org/gmiau-guide-...