STAR is a member of the Families Together coalition which is campaigning to reunite refugee families. We help to lead the campaign alongside more than 50 other organisations including Oxfam, Amnesty International, and The Refugee Council.
What is the #FamiliesTogether campaign?

Refugees in the UK are often separated from their families by war and persecution. Until September 2025, refugees could apply to bring their partner and children under 18 to join them through refugee family reunion, one of the few safe routes to the UK.

On 4 September 2025, the government suspended new applications to refugee family reunion. Refugees now have to apply through the ordinary family visa rules, which include income and English language requirements that most newly recognised refugees cannot meet. The government says the route will stay paused while it designs new rules with financial and integration requirements, and refugees on the new 30-month “core protection” status will have no automatic right to family reunion.

The British Red Cross estimated that the suspension could keep at least 4,900 families apart between September 2025 and April 2026 alone. Without a safe route, more families will be pushed towards dangerous journeys.

Students hold up big, colourful letters saying 'families belong together'

‘Being reunited with my children has helped me to rebuild my life here in the UK. I am happier but my happiness is not complete because my family remains divided and that is very difficult for us. A family is a family in its entirety, and it should not be split up.’ – Helen

What are we calling for?
  1.       Reopen refugee family reunion without income or English language requirements that refugees cannot meet.
  2.       Let child refugees sponsor their close family, so children who arrive alone can be reunited with their parents.
  3.       A fair definition of family, so young people who have turned 18 and elderly parents can join their families in safety.
  4.       Bring back legal aid for family reunion applications in England and Wales.
Take action

If you are interested in getting involved in the #FamiliesTogether campaign with your STAR group, please contact the student network team. 

Online resources:

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