A court has quashed a Home Office decision that blocked mothers and children in Gaza from joining their families in the UK. An immigration court judge, known as the Upper Tribunal, found that the Home Secretary acted unlawfully in the way the Unsafe Journeys Policy was applied to two families.
Families abroad with approved applications to reunite with loved ones in the UK typically need to undergo biometric checks at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). However, the VAC in Gaza has been closed since October 2023, making it difficult to leave the territory.
The two families involved consist of young mothers with five children aged seven and under, seeking to reunite with their husbands who have been granted refugee status in the UK. These families are reportedly living in difficult conditions in Gaza, facing insufficient food, lack of clean water, and health risks.
Judge Fiona Lindsley stated in her judgment that the children's best interests should be the primary consideration, noting their vulnerable living conditions and psychological distress. The Home Office has indicated it will appeal the decision, stating that biometrics are a core part of the UK's immigration system for security checks.
An estimated 250-300 families in Gaza seeking to reunite with immediate family members granted refugee status in the UK are reportedly in similar situations. The Refugee Family Reunion scheme was suspended in September 2025, and Home Office sources have indicated no further details will be announced until 2027.