CJ McKinney
@cjmckinney.bsky.social
Parliamentary adviser on immigration and asylum. Child of the Common Travel Area. Views, if any, are my own. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/authors/cj-mckinney/
Reposted by CJ McKinney
'The identity of Stakeknife is clear to everybody': Taoiseach names Freddie Scappaticci in the Dáil as IRA mole jrnl.ie/6953662
'The identity of Stakeknife is clear to everybody': Taoiseach names Freddie Scappaticci as IRA mole
The UK Government’s has refused to name the former Army agent known as Stakeknife.
jrnl.ie
February 11, 2026 at 3:21 PM
'The identity of Stakeknife is clear to everybody': Taoiseach names Freddie Scappaticci in the Dáil as IRA mole jrnl.ie/6953662
The Trump administration has signed Rwanda-style agreements "with more than 20 countries to accept third-country nationals" www.migrationpolicy.org/article/trum.... Being a superpower probably helps...
Unleashing Power in New Ways: Immigration in the First Year of Trump 2.0
U.S. immigration policy, practice, and enforcement changed dramatically over the first year of President Donald Trump's second term, touching most corners of the immigration system. The government has...
www.migrationpolicy.org
February 11, 2026 at 5:10 PM
The Trump administration has signed Rwanda-style agreements "with more than 20 countries to accept third-country nationals" www.migrationpolicy.org/article/trum.... Being a superpower probably helps...
Non-EU employees in the UK rose by 1.85 million between 2021 and 2025 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
February 11, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Non-EU employees in the UK rose by 1.85 million between 2021 and 2025 migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
Despite Parliament passing legislation to make the rules on immigration detention more strict, a recent High Court decision "neuters, to a significant extent" that legislation, relying on ECHR human rights law.
The Illegal Migration Act 2023 and the Hardial Singh principles administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/10/t...
The Illegal Migration Act 2023 and the Hardial Singh principles
The High Court has considered for the first time the impact of section 12 of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 (IMA 2023) on the operation of the Hardial Singh principles in challenges against immigra…
administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Despite Parliament passing legislation to make the rules on immigration detention more strict, a recent High Court decision "neuters, to a significant extent" that legislation, relying on ECHR human rights law.
"The public have clearly become more sceptical about the impact of migrants in the wake of the recent record levels of regular and irregular migration" natcen.ac.uk/publications...
British Social Attitudes 43 | National Centre for Social Research
This report is an initial early release and examination of some of the key findings of the most recent survey conducted in September and October 2025.
natcen.ac.uk
February 10, 2026 at 5:21 PM
"The public have clearly become more sceptical about the impact of migrants in the wake of the recent record levels of regular and irregular migration" natcen.ac.uk/publications...
"Some argued that post-Brexit the public would be less concerned with immigration numbers, as immigration was now under the government’s control. Except the Channel crossings were clearly not under control". consoc.org.uk/publications...
Brexit and Immigration: The Arc of the Pendulum - The Constitution Society
Jonathan Thomas investigates the facts behind the relationship between Brexit and immigration policy in the UK.
consoc.org.uk
February 10, 2026 at 4:48 PM
"Some argued that post-Brexit the public would be less concerned with immigration numbers, as immigration was now under the government’s control. Except the Channel crossings were clearly not under control". consoc.org.uk/publications...
Reposted by CJ McKinney
Morgan McSweeney who made his way from Macroom, the town that never raised a fool, to Downing Street is profiled here by one of the few journalists who secured an interview with him. jrnl.ie/6951470t
Morgan McSweeney, from the fields of Macroom GAA to the corridors of 10 Downing Street
McSweeney was not particularly interested in politics as a young man, he was more into GAA.
jrnl.ie
February 9, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Morgan McSweeney who made his way from Macroom, the town that never raised a fool, to Downing Street is profiled here by one of the few journalists who secured an interview with him. jrnl.ie/6951470t
"A month after the Home Secretary threatened visa penalties, Namibia and Angola agreed to cooperate on returns. The Home Secretary has now secured cooperation from the Democratic Republic of Congo" www.gov.uk/government/n...
Three countries to take back illegal migrants after visa threat
Illegal migrants and criminals from 3 African countries will be deported following a threat by the Home Secretary to shut down their visas to Britain.
www.gov.uk
February 9, 2026 at 10:33 AM
"A month after the Home Secretary threatened visa penalties, Namibia and Angola agreed to cooperate on returns. The Home Secretary has now secured cooperation from the Democratic Republic of Congo" www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by CJ McKinney
UK expands Hong Kong visa scheme in wake of Jimmy Lai’s prison sentence
UK expands Hong Kong visa scheme in wake of Jimmy Lai’s prison sentence
Exclusive: Home Office ruling means thousands more Hongkongers will be eligible to come to the UK over next five years
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:34 AM
UK expands Hong Kong visa scheme in wake of Jimmy Lai’s prison sentence
"From February 25th, all Irish nationals must have a passport to travel to the UK on Aer Lingus flights despite the long-standing Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangement, the airline said" www.irishtimes.com/life-style/t...
Aer Lingus passengers flying from Ireland to UK require passport under rule change
Change to take effect from February 25th despite Common Travel Area measures
www.irishtimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:47 PM
"From February 25th, all Irish nationals must have a passport to travel to the UK on Aer Lingus flights despite the long-standing Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangement, the airline said" www.irishtimes.com/life-style/t...
In the middle of a Supreme Court hearing on disguised employment in limited liability partnerships, one of the judge's phones starts playing a The Rest is History podcast episode which kicks off with an unimprovably spirited impression of Jimmy Carter
February 6, 2026 at 9:52 PM
In the middle of a Supreme Court hearing on disguised employment in limited liability partnerships, one of the judge's phones starts playing a The Rest is History podcast episode which kicks off with an unimprovably spirited impression of Jimmy Carter
Home Secretary confirms that the UK government did not formally trigger the break clause in the asylum seeker relocation treaty with Rwanda until Dec 2025. (Rwanda says that delay means the UK owes £100m in payments due under the treaty).
February 6, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Home Secretary confirms that the UK government did not formally trigger the break clause in the asylum seeker relocation treaty with Rwanda until Dec 2025. (Rwanda says that delay means the UK owes £100m in payments due under the treaty).
Stop the boats to get safe and legal routes for refugees, Home Secretary says committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence...
February 6, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Stop the boats to get safe and legal routes for refugees, Home Secretary says committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence...
Reposted by CJ McKinney
NEW: Police in Northern Ireland will curb sharing data on migrant victims of crime with UK immigration enforcement, after admitting that routine sharing “could be perceived as constituting institutional racism”.
PSNI curbs migrant victims’ data sharing with Home Office after ‘institutional racism’ concerns
www.thedetail.tv
February 5, 2026 at 1:11 PM
NEW: Police in Northern Ireland will curb sharing data on migrant victims of crime with UK immigration enforcement, after admitting that routine sharing “could be perceived as constituting institutional racism”.
Reposted by CJ McKinney
There’s a written statement on the Cranston inquiry on today’s Order Paper, with the final report due to be published this morning. This was the inquiry set up to investigate the deaths of 31 people in the channel in November 2021 commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/Document/102...
February 5, 2026 at 7:26 AM
There’s a written statement on the Cranston inquiry on today’s Order Paper, with the final report due to be published this morning. This was the inquiry set up to investigate the deaths of 31 people in the channel in November 2021 commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/Document/102...
Reposted by CJ McKinney
The British Justice Secretary has described an Irish bus driver who was sacked after chasing down a thief as a “hero”.
David Lammy today told the House of Commons that Mark Hehir, who is originally from Limerick but now lives in north-west London, “deserves our support”.
jrnl.ie/6946153
David Lammy today told the House of Commons that Mark Hehir, who is originally from Limerick but now lives in north-west London, “deserves our support”.
jrnl.ie/6946153
British Justice Secretary says he ‘supports’ Irish bus driver sacked after chasing down thief
David Lammy told the House of Commons: ‘I’m very grateful, Mark is of course a hero and deserves our support’.
jrnl.ie
February 3, 2026 at 9:37 PM
The British Justice Secretary has described an Irish bus driver who was sacked after chasing down a thief as a “hero”.
David Lammy today told the House of Commons that Mark Hehir, who is originally from Limerick but now lives in north-west London, “deserves our support”.
jrnl.ie/6946153
David Lammy today told the House of Commons that Mark Hehir, who is originally from Limerick but now lives in north-west London, “deserves our support”.
jrnl.ie/6946153
Reposted by CJ McKinney
Quite impressed that from the date of my filling in a passport renewal to it landing on my passage floor was 10 days. That’s a bit of government that’s working quite well, tbh.
February 3, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Quite impressed that from the date of my filling in a passport renewal to it landing on my passage floor was 10 days. That’s a bit of government that’s working quite well, tbh.
Reposted by CJ McKinney
Haven't seen as much coverage of Foreign Sec's migration cooperation negotiations with Ethiopia (compared to Iraq/KRI migration pact) & wondering how this will work. Ethiopians constitute v small proportion of small boat population so more about stopping Eritreans/Sudanese....? tinyurl.com/29fv5uzm
NCA joins up with Ethiopia to nail global criminal gangs fuelling small boats
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will focus on tackling factors - including conflict and lack of jobs - that push people to make the dangerous journey to Europe and the UK
www.mirror.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Haven't seen as much coverage of Foreign Sec's migration cooperation negotiations with Ethiopia (compared to Iraq/KRI migration pact) & wondering how this will work. Ethiopians constitute v small proportion of small boat population so more about stopping Eritreans/Sudanese....? tinyurl.com/29fv5uzm
The companies that do digital identity verification say they have tons of data on fraud but can't find anyone at the Home Office who wants it committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence...
February 2, 2026 at 11:40 AM
The companies that do digital identity verification say they have tons of data on fraud but can't find anyone at the Home Office who wants it committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence...
The fundamental underlying challenge of preventing illegal working through mandatory digital checks substack.com/home/post/p-...
January 30, 2026 at 6:14 PM
The fundamental underlying challenge of preventing illegal working through mandatory digital checks substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by CJ McKinney
Around 185,000 Hong Kongers have come to the UK since 2021, after the BNO visa was created.
Join us on the 11th of February to find out how Hong Kongers are adapting to life in the UK.
Register here 👇
www.eventbrite.com/e/hong-kong-...
Join us on the 11th of February to find out how Hong Kongers are adapting to life in the UK.
Register here 👇
www.eventbrite.com/e/hong-kong-...
Hong Kong BN(O) Migrants Panel Survey Wave 2 Result Seminar
Discover Wave 1 & 2 findings of the BN(O) Panel Survey on 11 Feb 2026. Panels on community and research findings. Join us for insights!
www.eventbrite.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Around 185,000 Hong Kongers have come to the UK since 2021, after the BNO visa was created.
Join us on the 11th of February to find out how Hong Kongers are adapting to life in the UK.
Register here 👇
www.eventbrite.com/e/hong-kong-...
Join us on the 11th of February to find out how Hong Kongers are adapting to life in the UK.
Register here 👇
www.eventbrite.com/e/hong-kong-...
Reposted by CJ McKinney
This stuff is so depressing and so harmful for genuine sponsors and sponsored employees too. And particularly depressing how desperate people who have lost care jobs are being drawn to these schemes.
A Times investigation has found that visa agents are selling Skilled Worker visas for positions that don't exist.
It's well worth reading the full article (link in the next post), but here's how it works.
It's well worth reading the full article (link in the next post), but here's how it works.
January 28, 2026 at 10:17 AM
This stuff is so depressing and so harmful for genuine sponsors and sponsored employees too. And particularly depressing how desperate people who have lost care jobs are being drawn to these schemes.
Reposted by CJ McKinney
It appears that the Rwanda claim against UK is not based on a badly drafted termination clause, but...
...because the current government did not formally terminate the contract in time, hence the payments still due and owing.
If true, whoopsie.
Rwanda statement www.gov.rw/fileadmin/us...
...because the current government did not formally terminate the contract in time, hence the payments still due and owing.
If true, whoopsie.
Rwanda statement www.gov.rw/fileadmin/us...
January 28, 2026 at 2:25 PM
It appears that the Rwanda claim against UK is not based on a badly drafted termination clause, but...
...because the current government did not formally terminate the contract in time, hence the payments still due and owing.
If true, whoopsie.
Rwanda statement www.gov.rw/fileadmin/us...
...because the current government did not formally terminate the contract in time, hence the payments still due and owing.
If true, whoopsie.
Rwanda statement www.gov.rw/fileadmin/us...
“We spoke to 26 agents and company representatives selling sponsorship, and documented more than 250 examples of fake jobs being offered”. www.thetimes.com/article/56b6...
How migrants are buying fake jobs to stay in the UK illegally
A burgeoning industry offers skilled worker visa sponsorships for positions that do not exist. A Times undercover investigation exposes those behind the schemes
www.thetimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:52 AM
“We spoke to 26 agents and company representatives selling sponsorship, and documented more than 250 examples of fake jobs being offered”. www.thetimes.com/article/56b6...
"Using data on over 30,000 immigration appeals in the UK, I find evidence that non-white women are likelier than any other group to rule in favour of the government rather than the migrant. In view of extant scholarship, this finding is surprising". www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Judicial diversity and immigration appeals: evidence from the United Kingdom
Almost all studies of judicial behaviour and diversity conceptualise judges’ race and gender as independent, additive variables. Specifically, black and female judges are often seen as more liberal...
www.tandfonline.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:30 PM
"Using data on over 30,000 immigration appeals in the UK, I find evidence that non-white women are likelier than any other group to rule in favour of the government rather than the migrant. In view of extant scholarship, this finding is surprising". www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....