Sonia L
@sonial77.bsky.social
Immigration lawyer about town. Migrant. Queer. She/her. Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/thoughtsonimmigration
Pinned
Sonia L
@sonial77.bsky.social
· Nov 13
My spirit animal joins us (and I am particularly feeling him this week)!
Reposted by Sonia L
We're looking for a housing lawyer. This is a chance to bring about meaningful change with and for survivors of #trafficking and #ModernSlavery.
Could this be you? www.atleu.org.uk/join-us
Could this be you? www.atleu.org.uk/join-us
February 13, 2026 at 11:01 AM
We're looking for a housing lawyer. This is a chance to bring about meaningful change with and for survivors of #trafficking and #ModernSlavery.
Could this be you? www.atleu.org.uk/join-us
Could this be you? www.atleu.org.uk/join-us
Reposted by Sonia L
If the met police had been trying to get the proscription reversed by malicious compliance it's hard to see what they would have done differently.
February 13, 2026 at 10:26 AM
If the met police had been trying to get the proscription reversed by malicious compliance it's hard to see what they would have done differently.
Reposted by Sonia L
This means that even if Palestine Action ad not won on Human Rights Act/ECHR grounds, Palestine Action would have won on another ground.
No doubt this will be missed by a lot of media reporting of this judgment, but even if HRA repealed etc, Palestine Action would have *still won*.
No doubt this will be missed by a lot of media reporting of this judgment, but even if HRA repealed etc, Palestine Action would have *still won*.
February 13, 2026 at 10:29 AM
This means that even if Palestine Action ad not won on Human Rights Act/ECHR grounds, Palestine Action would have won on another ground.
No doubt this will be missed by a lot of media reporting of this judgment, but even if HRA repealed etc, Palestine Action would have *still won*.
No doubt this will be missed by a lot of media reporting of this judgment, but even if HRA repealed etc, Palestine Action would have *still won*.
Reposted by Sonia L
These are the two grounds on which Palestine Action won
February 13, 2026 at 10:24 AM
These are the two grounds on which Palestine Action won
Reposted by Sonia L
The proscription order remains in place pending an appeal. Until further legal proceedings are complete, it remains a criminal offence to support or promote Palestine Action.
February 13, 2026 at 10:11 AM
The proscription order remains in place pending an appeal. Until further legal proceedings are complete, it remains a criminal offence to support or promote Palestine Action.
Reposted by Sonia L
Breaking: on two counts, the High Court has ruled that the Labour government's proscription of the campaign group Palestine Action was unlawful – a win for its co-founder Huda Ammori, who sought a judicial review of the ban
February 13, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Breaking: on two counts, the High Court has ruled that the Labour government's proscription of the campaign group Palestine Action was unlawful – a win for its co-founder Huda Ammori, who sought a judicial review of the ban
Reposted by Sonia L
There is no LGB without the T. We rise together and we fall together.
Part of my speech in Parliament for LGBTQ+ History Month:
Part of my speech in Parliament for LGBTQ+ History Month:
February 12, 2026 at 4:47 PM
There is no LGB without the T. We rise together and we fall together.
Part of my speech in Parliament for LGBTQ+ History Month:
Part of my speech in Parliament for LGBTQ+ History Month:
Reposted by Sonia L
a stat i always cite is the number of anti-trans articles in the press went from 60 in a year, to 7,500
February 12, 2026 at 1:29 PM
a stat i always cite is the number of anti-trans articles in the press went from 60 in a year, to 7,500
Reposted by Sonia L
Home office is not sure why it happened but the press officer said they have a lot of traffic on the site.
The consultation on the govenrment's earned settlement proposals is scheduled to close tonight, but this is what you get if you click on the "respond online" link now.
Has the government closed it early?
This is the link if others want to try:
ukhomeoffice.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Has the government closed it early?
This is the link if others want to try:
ukhomeoffice.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
February 12, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Home office is not sure why it happened but the press officer said they have a lot of traffic on the site.
Reposted by Sonia L
We are recruiting Trustees to join our board and support us in our work to promote the welfare and rights of people in immigration detention!
Application deadline: 12th March 2026
You may find more information on our website: detentionaction.org.uk/become-a-tru...
Application deadline: 12th March 2026
You may find more information on our website: detentionaction.org.uk/become-a-tru...
February 12, 2026 at 3:21 PM
We are recruiting Trustees to join our board and support us in our work to promote the welfare and rights of people in immigration detention!
Application deadline: 12th March 2026
You may find more information on our website: detentionaction.org.uk/become-a-tru...
Application deadline: 12th March 2026
You may find more information on our website: detentionaction.org.uk/become-a-tru...
Reposted by Sonia L
In another response to @maxwilkinson.bsky.social, Alex Norris says the data on the quality of asylum making as also been delayed. The latest tribunal appeals stats suggest around 1 in 3 disposed of appeals were due to Home Office withdrawals questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
February 12, 2026 at 10:12 AM
In another response to @maxwilkinson.bsky.social, Alex Norris says the data on the quality of asylum making as also been delayed. The latest tribunal appeals stats suggest around 1 in 3 disposed of appeals were due to Home Office withdrawals questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Okay that is organisational and individual responses all done (lawyers love working to a deadline!!)
February 12, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Okay that is organisational and individual responses all done (lawyers love working to a deadline!!)
Reposted by Sonia L
My column in this week's @newstatesman1913.bsky.social, on bad data used in bad faith.
FOI-ing the stats myself, I didn't find a great deal of difference in sex offending rates: 5 per 10,000 Afghan men, 7 per 10,000 UK men:
FOI-ing the stats myself, I didn't find a great deal of difference in sex offending rates: 5 per 10,000 Afghan men, 7 per 10,000 UK men:
The truth about immigrants and sex crime
Corrosive innuendo about asylum seekers is helping no one
www.newstatesman.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:04 PM
My column in this week's @newstatesman1913.bsky.social, on bad data used in bad faith.
FOI-ing the stats myself, I didn't find a great deal of difference in sex offending rates: 5 per 10,000 Afghan men, 7 per 10,000 UK men:
FOI-ing the stats myself, I didn't find a great deal of difference in sex offending rates: 5 per 10,000 Afghan men, 7 per 10,000 UK men:
Reposted by Sonia L
if you’re prime minister, it is kind of astonishing to say your legacy will be winning the election. that’s the job interview mate
February 11, 2026 at 7:01 PM
if you’re prime minister, it is kind of astonishing to say your legacy will be winning the election. that’s the job interview mate
Reposted by Sonia L
"They’ve attacked all these people, in a desperate attempt to make clear to racists and social conservatives that they hear them. If the racists and social conservatives were actually going to vote for them this would merely seem abhorrent. When they clearly aren’t, it’s stupid too."
Everybody Hates Keir
How did Starmer go from landslide to endgame in under two years? Also this week: the most murderous mammal on earth; and every thought I have about an insane train plan.
jonn.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:33 PM
"They’ve attacked all these people, in a desperate attempt to make clear to racists and social conservatives that they hear them. If the racists and social conservatives were actually going to vote for them this would merely seem abhorrent. When they clearly aren’t, it’s stupid too."
Reposted by Sonia L
A consultation happening now, under Labour, that frames settlement as some sort of reward for being the right kind of person instead of a fundamental human right. That's the party that folk keep telling us to vote for to "keep the far right out"
the whole thing is of course completely revolting. 20 YEARS to settlement for refugees? no settlement if you’ve ever had a criminal conviction or a tax debt? 10 YEARS added if you’ve ever received benefits? partners and children on their own routes to settlement? What are you even TALKING about
February 11, 2026 at 9:56 AM
A consultation happening now, under Labour, that frames settlement as some sort of reward for being the right kind of person instead of a fundamental human right. That's the party that folk keep telling us to vote for to "keep the far right out"
Reposted by Sonia L
True on economics but total misunderstanding in Number 10 about immigration. They seem to think that Labour voters don’t have any friends or colleagues who are immigrants or that if they do they can be bought off with an angry tweet about rich people.
February 11, 2026 at 11:13 AM
True on economics but total misunderstanding in Number 10 about immigration. They seem to think that Labour voters don’t have any friends or colleagues who are immigrants or that if they do they can be bought off with an angry tweet about rich people.
Reposted by Sonia L
Genuinely, if you live in the UK you should so the consultation just to find out some of the unbelievable details of what's being proposed. Even with their spin and obfuscation it's shocking
the whole thing is of course completely revolting. 20 YEARS to settlement for refugees? no settlement if you’ve ever had a criminal conviction or a tax debt? 10 YEARS added if you’ve ever received benefits? partners and children on their own routes to settlement? What are you even TALKING about
February 11, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Genuinely, if you live in the UK you should so the consultation just to find out some of the unbelievable details of what's being proposed. Even with their spin and obfuscation it's shocking
Reposted by Sonia L
Not convinced.
1. A silly strawman of the argument from Goodwin
2. An unconvincing account of the role of section 3 HRA
FWIW I explore these issues in depth in a forthcoming article in a special edition journal on FWS
1. A silly strawman of the argument from Goodwin
2. An unconvincing account of the role of section 3 HRA
FWIW I explore these issues in depth in a forthcoming article in a special edition journal on FWS
Michael Foran: Human Rights, Gender Recognition and Single-Sex Spaces ukconstitutionallaw.org/2026/02/11/m...
Michael Foran: Human Rights, Gender Recognition and Single-Sex Spaces
In For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers, the Supreme Court held that references to ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010 pertained to biological sex. In doing so, it affirmed the default common law…
ukconstitutionallaw.org
February 11, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Not convinced.
1. A silly strawman of the argument from Goodwin
2. An unconvincing account of the role of section 3 HRA
FWIW I explore these issues in depth in a forthcoming article in a special edition journal on FWS
1. A silly strawman of the argument from Goodwin
2. An unconvincing account of the role of section 3 HRA
FWIW I explore these issues in depth in a forthcoming article in a special edition journal on FWS
Reposted by Sonia L
Today is the last day before the deadline to tell the government what you think about their Earned Settlement proposals
Details here 👇
migration.greenparty.org.uk/response-to-...
Details here 👇
migration.greenparty.org.uk/response-to-...
Response to the Earned Settlement Consultation - Green Party Asylum and Migration Policy Working Group
On the 20th November 2025, the Labour government published an open consultation on how the current settlement system should be reformed and how those reforms should be implemented. Settlement refers.....
migration.greenparty.org.uk
February 11, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Today is the last day before the deadline to tell the government what you think about their Earned Settlement proposals
Details here 👇
migration.greenparty.org.uk/response-to-...
Details here 👇
migration.greenparty.org.uk/response-to-...
Reposted by Sonia L
📢 New policy paper from @WiRL_Network and Asylos.
💡 ‘The Impact of ‘Safe Country’ Concepts on Women Seeking Asylum in the UK’: asylos.org/impact-safe-...
🖊️ Christel Querton (WiRL Network) and Emily Wilbourn (Asylos).
👏 Thanks to all those who collaborated on this project.
#womeninrefugeelaw
💡 ‘The Impact of ‘Safe Country’ Concepts on Women Seeking Asylum in the UK’: asylos.org/impact-safe-...
🖊️ Christel Querton (WiRL Network) and Emily Wilbourn (Asylos).
👏 Thanks to all those who collaborated on this project.
#womeninrefugeelaw
February 11, 2026 at 9:24 AM
📢 New policy paper from @WiRL_Network and Asylos.
💡 ‘The Impact of ‘Safe Country’ Concepts on Women Seeking Asylum in the UK’: asylos.org/impact-safe-...
🖊️ Christel Querton (WiRL Network) and Emily Wilbourn (Asylos).
👏 Thanks to all those who collaborated on this project.
#womeninrefugeelaw
💡 ‘The Impact of ‘Safe Country’ Concepts on Women Seeking Asylum in the UK’: asylos.org/impact-safe-...
🖊️ Christel Querton (WiRL Network) and Emily Wilbourn (Asylos).
👏 Thanks to all those who collaborated on this project.
#womeninrefugeelaw
Reposted by Sonia L
🌈 Support #LGBTQI people seeking safety and get the chance to win up to £25,000 every week!
A £1 #RainbowLottery ticket helps us provide safe housing and life‑changing support - 60p goes directly to our work 💜
Play today: www.rainbowlottery.co.uk/support/micr...
A £1 #RainbowLottery ticket helps us provide safe housing and life‑changing support - 60p goes directly to our work 💜
Play today: www.rainbowlottery.co.uk/support/micr...
Support Micro Rainbow on The Rainbow Lottery
Micro Rainbow is offering you the chance to win big prizes and help raise much needed funds.
www.rainbowlottery.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 8:37 AM
🌈 Support #LGBTQI people seeking safety and get the chance to win up to £25,000 every week!
A £1 #RainbowLottery ticket helps us provide safe housing and life‑changing support - 60p goes directly to our work 💜
Play today: www.rainbowlottery.co.uk/support/micr...
A £1 #RainbowLottery ticket helps us provide safe housing and life‑changing support - 60p goes directly to our work 💜
Play today: www.rainbowlottery.co.uk/support/micr...
Did somebody say "last minute modern slavery claims"? A good day to keep these handy:
freemovement.org.uk/briefing-is-...
freemovement.org.uk/the-reality-...
freemovement.org.uk/briefing-is-...
freemovement.org.uk/the-reality-...
February 11, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Did somebody say "last minute modern slavery claims"? A good day to keep these handy:
freemovement.org.uk/briefing-is-...
freemovement.org.uk/the-reality-...
freemovement.org.uk/briefing-is-...
freemovement.org.uk/the-reality-...
Reposted by Sonia L
The HO quote conflates the piece's subject matter with the asylum system.
February 11, 2026 at 7:58 AM
The HO quote conflates the piece's subject matter with the asylum system.
Reposted by Sonia L
Imagine being presented with these accounts of stark unfairness and insecurity caused by the earned settlement plans and your response being ‘It is a privilege not a right to settle in the UK and it must be earned’ - the Home Secretary needs to go www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Nurses’ families fear being torn apart in UK immigration crackdown, survey says
Exclusive: Most people in charity’s study say they worry about being separated from relatives under Mahmood plans
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:09 AM
Imagine being presented with these accounts of stark unfairness and insecurity caused by the earned settlement plans and your response being ‘It is a privilege not a right to settle in the UK and it must be earned’ - the Home Secretary needs to go www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...