The Immigrant Times reporting from Europe
> Manchester United co-owner condemned
> American Jews seek German citizenship
> Germany and India sign fast-access deal
> Migration in the UK in 2025
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is co-owner of Manchester United, a football club that relies on foreign players like the Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha for its success. (Photo: PA)
BRITAIN / MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United co-owner faces backlash over ‘colonised’ remark as critics cite his move to Monaco
February 2026: Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has sparked widespread criticism after claiming in a televised interview that the United Kingdom had been “colonised by immigrants”.
Speaking to Sky News, Ratcliffe argued that immigration levels had fundamentally altered the country. He cited population growth to support his claim, telling the broadcaster: “I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s an additional 12 million people.”
However, according to the Office for National Statistics, the UK population was estimated at 66.7 million in mid-2020 and 69.4 million in mid-2025, an increase of 2.7 million, not 12 million. The ONS has not recorded a UK population of 58 million at any point in recent decades.
The remarks drew condemnation from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who criticised the language used and warned that describing immigration in terms of ‘colonisation’ risked inflaming tensions. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the comments "go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood".
Supporters’ groups also distanced themselves from the comments. The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) said on X: “No fan should feel excluded from following or supporting the club because of their race, religion, nationality or background. Comments from the club’s senior leadership should make inclusion easier, not harder.”
Critics have also pointed to the global character of English football. Manchester United, like most clubs in the Premier League, relies heavily on international players, coaches and commercial markets. The league’s global success over the past three decades has been built largely on its openness to overseas talent and investment, making it one of the most internationally diverse sporting competitions in the world.
Ratcliffe, founder of INEOS and one of Britain’s wealthiest businessmen, became co-owner of Manchester United in 2024, taking control of football operations. According to The Sunday Times Rich List, he was ranked the seventh richest person in the UK in 2025, with an estimated net worth of around £17 billion.
He was also a supporter of the UK’s departure from the European Union ahead of the 2016 Brexit referendum. In 2020, Ratcliffe relocated his tax residence to Monaco, a principality where most residents are foreign nationals and no personal income or capital gains tax is levied.
The use of the term ‘colonised’ has been particularly contentious. Historians note that Britain has experienced successive waves of migration over centuries, from Huguenot refugees and Irish labourers to Commonwealth citizens and EU nationals. Critics argue that framing contemporary migration as colonisation risks oversimplifying a complex demographic and economic debate.
In a subsequent statement, Ratcliffe said: “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern,” adding that it was important to raise the issue of “controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.” He said his remarks were made during a discussion on economic growth, jobs, and manufacturing at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, and stressed that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills and industry. Ratcliffe did not withdraw his underlying argument but said it was “critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK.”
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GERMANY / USA
More American Jews with Nazi-era family ties apply for German citizenship
January 2026: An increasing number of Americans with Jewish family roots in Nazi-era Germany are applying for German citizenship, according to recent reporting by German public broadcaster Tagesschau. The trend reflects both Germany’s longstanding reparations policy and growing concerns among Jewish communities in the United States about rising antisemitism and political polarisation.
German diplomatic missions in the US have reported a steady rise in applications from descendants of families who were stripped of German citizenship under the Nazi regime or forced to flee persecution between 1933 and 1945. While Germany has offered citizenship restoration for decades, interest has accelerated in recent years, particularly since the pandemic period and amid heightened political tensions in the US.
Since 2024, demand has increased sharply. In 2025, the German Consulate General in New York received 1,771 applications for ‘reparation citizenships’. By comparison, there were 894 applications in 2023 and 734 in the previous year. On this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day (28 January), 81 American Jews received German citizenship. They are all descendants of victims of Nazi persecution.
Applicants interviewed by German media cite multiple motivations. For some, German citizenship represents a symbolic act of historical justice, reclaiming rights that were violently taken from their families. Others see practical benefits, including visa-free movement within the European Union and access to work and residence rights across 27 EU countries. However, a growing number point to security concerns, rising antisemitic incidents and fears about democratic backsliding in the US as key factors influencing their decision.
The political climate surrounding Donald Trump’s second-term presidency has also been cited as a contributing factor. Jewish advocacy groups in the US have recorded sharp increases in antisemitic threats, vandalism and online harassment in recent years. Some applicants told German media they view EU citizenship as an ‘insurance policy’ against future instability.
Germany’s legal framework allows descendants of Nazi persecution victims to obtain citizenship under special restitution provisions. These include Section 15 of the Nationality Act, which provides facilitated naturalisation for people affected by racial, religious or political persecution and their descendants. Applicants are not required to renounce their existing nationality, allowing most US citizens to hold dual citizenship.
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GERMANY / INDIA
Germany and India agree on fast-track access for Indian care workers
January 2026: Germany and India have signed a new agreement aimed at accelerating the integration of Indian health and care workers into the German labour market. The deal was concluded during a visit to India by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and focuses primarily on nursing and long-term care professions.
At the heart of the agreement is the advanced alignment of training standards. Indian nursing qualifications will be structured to closely match German requirements, allowing recognition procedures to be completed largely before workers arrive in Germany. This is intended to avoid lengthy and bureaucratic post-arrival recognition processes, which have long been cited as a bottleneck in cross-border recruitment.
The agreement also provides for structured language training and adaptation phases, enabling care workers to begin employment under supervision while completing any remaining regulatory or language requirements. Dedicated coordination points will be established in both countries to streamline visa issuance, qualification recognition and job placement.
The initiative will begin with a pilot phase covering nursing and elderly care, with intake levels to be reviewed regularly and expanded if demand persists. Recruitment is to follow ethical standards and focus on newly trained personnel, to avoid weakening India’s domestic healthcare system.
Germany’s move reflects wider pressures across the European Union, where ageing populations and staff shortages are placing increasing strain on health and care services. Several EU member states are exploring similar partnerships with third countries to secure long-term workforce capacity in essential sectors.
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BRITAIN
Britain agrees return deals with Angola and Namibia after threatening visa restrictions
December 2025: The UK government has reached agreements with the governments of Angola and Namibia to facilitate the return of their nationals who are in Britain without legal permission to remain.
Under the new arrangements, agreed following diplomatic pressure and the threat of visa restrictions, both African states have pledged to accept the repatriation of citizens deported from the UK, including those who have entered irregularly, overstayed visas or been refused asylum. The deals form part of a broader overhaul of Britain’s immigration system announced by the Labour government in November.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood welcomed the developments, stressing the government’s expectation that countries must ‘play by the rules’. She said that if a nation’s citizen has ‘no right to be here, they must take them back’, as Britain seeks to expedite the removal of those without legal status.
The agreements are the first major outcome of sweeping asylum reforms announced in November 2025, aimed at making refugee status temporary, shortening paths to removal and strengthening deportation powers for those arriving without documentation. Refugee protections will now be subject to regular review, and those deemed safe to return to their homeland may be required to leave.
As part of the same initiative, the UK has imposed visa sanctions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo after that government failed to cooperate on return procedures, revoking fast-track and preferential visa processing for its nationals.
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BRITAIN
In 2025, migration shaped the UK’s domestic political debate
Extracts from the Migration Observatory’s annual review*
December 2025: The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has compiled a roundup of the UK’s biggest migration moments, highlighting numerous policy announcements, shifts in net migration, and a focus on issues that previously didn’t play much of a role in the debate, like crime and asylum accommodation.
January
The introduction of the Border Security Bill repealed the previous Conservative government’s Rwanda policy and many of the provisions of the Illegal Migration Act that prevented the processing of asylum claims. It introduced ‘counter-terror’ powers to challenge people smuggling, including increased penalties for assisting illegal immigration.
February
February’s Home Office (Interior Ministry) migration statistics showed a big reduction in the number of visas issued in 2024. While these falls were mainly driven by policies introduced by the previous government to tackle a dramatic rise in legal immigration, a rise created mainly by a series of liberalisations introduced by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s administration, they were maintained by the Labour Party after the July 2024 election. In May, the Office for National Statistics confirmed that net migration had declined from 860,000 to 430,000.
May
The Immigration White Paper, published in May, outlined a raft of measures designed to reduce migration to the UK, largely completing the process of rolling back the post-Brexit immigration liberalisations. The White paper proposed increases in the time it would take for many migrants to get settlement in the UK, increased language requirements, and measures to restrict the scope of human rights immigration routes.
July
In July, the UK announced its new ‘one in one out’ deal with France, a move that the government hoped would deter small boat arrivals. A series of work-related restrictions came into force, notably an increase in the salary threshold for skilled work visas to £41k, the removal of some middle-skilled jobs from the work visa system, and the closure of the care route to overseas recruitment.
August
There were a number of protests outside asylum hotels, which led to a wider debate about the link between migration and crime.
September
September brought the announcement of a new digital ID for everyone legally resident in the UK that would be used to consolidate access to government services and ensure migrants have the right to work.
November
Net migration statistics were published, showing a continued decline to 204,000 in the year ending June 2025, a 78 per cent fall and a return to pre-Brexit levels. November’s data also showed that the ‘appeals backlog’, mainly made up of people who have been refused asylum and appealed against the decision, is now overtaking the initial decisions backlog.
A White Paper on asylum proposed a ‘Danish style’ approach, making it harder for refugees to settle in the UK permanently. Changes to the asylum system and human rights rules aim to process legal challenges and appeals more quickly, making it harder for people to challenge their removal.
A consultation was also announced on settlement rules. The proposals include a shorter path to permanent status for the highest-paid migrants. In contrast, migrants who entered illegally, overstayed a visa, or claimed benefits would remain on temporary statuses for longer, up to 20 or 30 years. The government also plans to restrict access to welfare benefits for people with permanent status but not citizenship.
* The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford provides independent, authoritative, evidence-based analysis of data on migration and migrants in the UK.
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WORLD
Migration: A story of opportunity, human progress and shared development
A statement by the International Organisation for Migration
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December 2025: Each year, on 18 December, the world observes International Migrants Day (IMD). To mark the occasion, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), an UN-related organisation, is reaffirming migration as a story of opportunity, human progress, and shared development and calling for stronger, more robust migration systems that protect people on the move and support the communities that welcome them.
The day recognises the contributions of migrants worldwide and underscores the importance of protecting their rights and dignity. In 2025, the Day is marked under the theme My Great Story: Cultures and Development, highlighting how human mobility enriches societies, drives economic growth, and strengthens connections across communities.
“Migration is woven into the lives of families and communities everywhere. It is a story of courage, determination, and the ties that bind us across borders,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Today, we honour the people who set out in search of safety and opportunity and call for global solidarity in shaping fair and inclusive systems that protect them. When migration is managed with dignity and purpose, it benefits everyone.”
Every migrant carries a personal story of hope, courage, and the desire for a better life. When systems protect people along their journey, those stories can unfold safely. Today, an estimated 304 million people, or nearly 4 per cent of the global population, live outside their country of birth. This number has grown steadily as people move for work, safety, education, and family.
Migrants contribute in many ways to the communities where they live and work, bringing skills, creativity, and entrepreneurship that strengthen local economies. Labour migrants support essential sectors including healthcare, construction, agriculture, and technology, providing vital assistance in countries with aging populations.
Their earnings also sustain families back home. In 2024, migrants sent an estimated USD 905 billion in international remittances, most of which went to middle and low-income countries. These transfers help households cover food, education, and medical care and in many cases exceed the value of foreign aid and investment flows.
Beyond these financial contributions, migrants also enrich the social and cultural fabric of communities. They carry new ideas, foster cultural exchange, build business networks, and spark innovation, benefiting both their countries of origin and the places where they settle.
Yet migration is shaped by growing challenges. By the end of 2024, 83.4 million people were internally displaced due to conflict, violence, and disasters, while new emergencies continued to push communities beyond their coping capacity.
While most migration takes place safely and regularly, many people still face serious risks when crossing borders, particularly where regular pathways are limited. People who must flee suddenly often have few options and may turn to irregular routes. These journeys can involve dangerous sea and desert crossings, exploitation, and limited access to assistance and protection. The Mediterranean Sea remains one of the deadliest migration routes, with more than 33,000 recorded deaths since 2014.
Every migrant’s journey is different, but the need for safety and dignity is universal. By strengthening systems that support people at every stage of mobility, countries can unlock the developmental dividends of migration and uphold the rights and well-being of every person on the move.
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GERMANY / EU / USA
German Chancellor rebukes the US over unfounded intervention in European migration policy
November 2025: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has sharply criticised the United States for what he described as unwarranted interference in Europe’s migration debates, following revelations that Washington has instructed its diplomats to promote tougher immigration controls across the continent.
According to a recently disclosed US diplomatic cable, American embassies, consulates and missions in Europe have been directed to raise alarms about ‘violent crimes associated with people of a migration background’ and to encourage partner governments to take a more restrictive line on migration. The cable frames mass migration as a potential driver of sexual offences, human rights violations, and a weakened rule of law.
Media reporting indicates that the dispatch also warns of the spread of radical Islam and suggests that migrant communities could contribute to increases in antisemitic or anti-Christian incidents, assertions not accompanied by supporting data in the document.
Chancellor Merz dismissed the US messaging as an inappropriate intrusion into Europe’s internal political processes. “We are also in the process of formulating a new common European asylum and immigration policy,” Merz said. “These discussions must take place here in Europe, guided by evidence, not by pressure from outside.”
European officials familiar with the cable have described parts of it as containing racially charged and Islamophobic talking points intended for use by US diplomats in meetings with European governments. These include suggestions that migration threatens social stability and religious coexistence, claims that critics say echo longstanding far-right rhetoric in Europe and the United States.
In its coverage of the cable, Reuters reported that the US State Department provided no evidence to support its assertions regarding crime or radicalisation.
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BRITAIN
Research suggests that immigration is not a major worry for most Britons
Only a quarter of Britons say immigration is among the top three issues facing their community
November 2025: A new study by ‘Best for Britain’ *, based on a ‘YouGov’ poll of 4,368 adults conducted between 5-10 September 2025, suggests that while immigration is often cited as a major national issue, it is far less salient for most people when they consider what matters in their own community.
Key findings
• 52% of respondents identified immigration and asylum among the top three issues facing the country.
• However, only 26% said the same when asked about the most important issues facing their local community.
• When local priorities were ranked, immigration slid to seventh place, behind cost of living, health, the economy, crime, housing and jobs.
• Among specific voter groups: fewer than half (43%) of former Labour voters now considering voting for the anti-immigrant Reform UK party saw immigration as a top local issue; just 8% of current Labour voters and 6% of Green supporters did so.
• Regarding legal migration: only 19% of all respondents said too much legal migration was a top concern. Among Labour’s 2024 coalition, it was 11%. Even among those planning to vote for Reform UK, the figure was 45%.
‘Best for Britain’s’ Executive Director of Policy and Research, Tom Brufatto, said: “The data clearly demonstrates that media exposure and political discourse are fanning the flames of anti-immigration sentiment in the UK, causing the government to lose support both to its right and left flank simultaneously.”
The report concludes that themes of cost of living, energy bills, inflation and the economy are far more unifying across party lines than immigration, which remains divisive and less rooted in personal experience for most people.
Fazit
Although immigration remains a headline concern at the national level, for many Britons, it is not among the top issues facing their local community. The study by Best for Britain suggests that voters are more concerned with the cost of living, health and economy, and that immigration may be amplified in media and political discourse more than felt in everyday experience.
* ‘Best for Britain’ is a research and campaigning organisation, based in London.
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UNITED KINGDOM
British MPs condemn chaotic use of hotels for refugees as costs soar past £15 billion
A new parliamentary report accuses the UK Home Office of waste and mismanagement in asylum housing, warning that reliance on hotels has become endemic, rather than temporary.
October 2025: A cross-party committee of UK Members of Parliament (MPs) has sharply criticised the Home Office (Interior Ministry) for what it calls a “failed and chaotic” approach to asylum accommodation, revealing that the cost of housing refugees in hotels and other temporary sites has spiralled into the billions.
In the report, the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee said the department’s reliance on hotels, originally intended as a short-term measure, has become entrenched, costly, and poorly managed, with inadequate oversight of private contractors and serious concerns about conditions for asylum seekers.
The Committee found that the projected cost of asylum accommodation contracts between 2019 and 2029 has more than tripled, from £4.5 billion to £15.3 billion. As of June 2025, around 103,000 people were being housed under Home Office arrangements, more than double the number in 2018.
Although the number of asylum seekers in hotels has fallen from a peak of over 50,000 to around 32,000, MPs said the system still represents a “de facto dependency” on hotel use rather than the emergency measure it was meant to be.
The report accuses the Home Office of mismanaging its major accommodation contracts, known as the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts (AASC), by awarding large regional monopolies to a handful of providers without sufficient competition or commercial oversight.
MPs said the department “lacked the capacity” to manage these complex contracts effectively, failed to enforce key performance indicators, and did not adequately monitor providers’ delivery standards. In some cases, companies were allowed to retain millions in “excess profits” before the Home Office began attempts to reclaim them.
The Committee described the approach as a “waste of public money” and called for urgent reforms to ensure value for taxpayers and dignity for those seeking refuge.
MPs also raised concerns about the quality and suitability of hotel-based accommodation, warning that many sites are inappropriate for long-term residence, particularly for vulnerable people or families with children.
Local authorities have complained that decisions to place asylum seekers in hotels are often made without proper consultation, creating pressure on public services and fuelling community tensions in some areas.
The report also highlighted safeguarding failures, noting that “in too many cases the system has not adequately protected those it is meant to support.”
The UK’s Labour Government has pledged to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation by 2029, part of a broader effort to reduce costs and move toward more sustainable, community-based housing. A Home Office spokesperson said the department was “already taking steps to improve contract management and expand alternative sites,” and that reforms to speed up asylum decisions would reduce reliance on temporary accommodation.
However, MPs warned that the 2029 target could prove unrealistic unless the Home Office invests in alternative housing capacity and clears the asylum backlog that has fuelled demand.
Commenting on the findings, analysts said the report exposes deep structural weaknesses in the UK’s asylum system.
“The use of hotels was meant to be a stopgap, but it became the backbone of the accommodation model,” said one migration policy expert. “This report shows how the lack of foresight and weak contract oversight have led to huge costs and human consequences.”
Charities working with refugees welcomed the report’s recommendations, urging the government to shift its focus from emergency accommodation to humane, long-term solutions. “There’s an opportunity now to reset the system, to put dignity, safety, and community integration at its heart,” one advocacy group said.
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GERMANY
Germany attracts an increasing number of foreign inventors, but the country must remain cosmopolitan
October 2025: Inventors with foreign roots are responsible for a growing proportion of patent applications in Germany. This means they are becoming increasingly important for the German economy. According to the German Economic Institute (IW) calculations, they accounted for around one in seven inventions (14%) in 2022. By way of comparison, in 2000, it was only one in twenty (5%).
Inventors from Eastern and Southern Europe make the largest contribution to patent activity in Germany. Arabic countries, including Turkey, follow in third place with around. Its share has quadrupled since 2000. Growth is particularly strong among people of Indian origin: Since the turn of the millennium, their patent applications have increased twelvefold.
Among immigrants, the proportion of female inventors is almost twice as high as among Germans (five per cent), at just under nine per cent. One reason for this is that in many countries of origin, women are more likely to choose STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects, which leads to a particularly high number of patents. This also makes them particularly attractive to the German labour market.
Germany is ageing and, like other industrialised countries, is dependent on the immigration of well-educated people. “To compete for the brightest minds, fast and unbureaucratic procedures for entry and recognition of qualifications are necessary,” explains Alexandra Köbler, a researcher at the IW. A cosmopolitan environment is also crucial for attracting and keeping experts and their know-how.
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BRITAIN
British refugee charities report of a surge in threats to staff and offices
October 2025: In recent months, refugee and asylum support organisations across Britain have reported a disturbing rise in threats, abuse, and targeted harassment. From credible death threats to the installation of safe rooms and the relocation of entire offices, the sector is under siege. In recent weeks, staff at multiple charities have reported receiving death threats, racial abuse, and graphic harassment, forcing some to relocate offices, install panic alarms, and advise workers to conceal their identities in public.
The escalation, charity leaders warn, is not isolated. It reflects a broader climate of hostility fuelled by inflammatory political discourse and emboldened far-right activism. According to reports from The Guardian, the radio broadcaster LBC, and Parliament Politics Magazine, staff at refugee charities have been subjected to racial intimidation, graphic sexualised abuse, and physical threats. Women working in the sector have been particularly targeted, with some organisations advising staff not to wear ID badges in public due to safety concerns
The threats are not just verbal. In some cases, charities have been forced to shut down offices, relocate operations, or invest in panic alarms and reinforced security. One organisation described the situation as becoming the ‘new normal’ in the wake of riots and protests outside asylum accommodation sites.
While the British Labour government has publicly committed to a more humane migration policy, charity leaders warn that the rhetoric surrounding asylum and deportation remains dangerously inflammatory. Some point to recent proposals for a streamlined deportation service and increased surveillance of migrant communities as contributing factors. “The language of politics is becoming the language of hate,” one director told The Guardian, urging ministers to take a firmer stand against extremist narratives.
A 2025 sector-wide survey by the UK-based Migration Exchange found that nearly half of refugee-focused NGOs had experienced direct threats or harassment since the summer of 2024. Many now operate under heightened security protocols, with some staff receiving trauma support and legal guidance.
Despite these challenges, the sector continues to serve tens of thousands of asylum seekers, refugees, and undocumented migrants. But leaders are calling for urgent action: stronger protections for staff, clearer condemnation of hate speech, and recognition of the sector’s vital role in upholding Britain’s humanitarian commitments.
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EUROPEAN SUMMIT
European summit stressed a humanitarian approach but emphasised the need for controlling immigration
October 2025: On 2 October 2025, leaders from 18 European nations gathered in Copenhagen for the European Political Community Summit, a high-level meeting that placed migration squarely at the heart of European cooperation. The summit’s final communiqué struck a careful balance, emphasising the need for mutually beneficial partnerships with origin and transit countries, alongside a firm crackdown on smuggling networks and irregular arrivals.
“Europe must remain a place of refuge for those in genuine need, but we must also protect the integrity of our asylum systems,” said Magnus Brunner, EU Migration Commissioner, underscoring the summit’s dual emphasis on humanitarian protection and controlling immigration.
The summit’s ‘whole-of-route’ approach included development aid, education, and voluntary returns, coordinated with IOM (International Organisation for Migration) and UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency). Leaders pledged to forge ‘new and innovative partnerships’ to accelerate processing and alleviate domestic pressures, according to the joint statement.
Yet critics warn that such partnerships risk outsourcing responsibility and obscuring the lived realities of migrants themselves. While the summit’s tone leaned heavily on enforcement, some voices offered a more inclusive vision.
“Europe’s credibility depends on its ability to attract and retain talent and skills,” said Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission. “Failing to manage migration fairly undermines public trust in an open society.”
Even Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, a summit co-chair known for her security-first stance, acknowledged the need for ‘fair and regulated’ migration systems that uphold European humanitarian values, values that benefit and protect host countries and newcomers.
“We cannot build trust by building walls,” added a civil society representative from Italy, speaking outside the summit. “Partnership must mean protection, not just prevention.”
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