We are delighted to announce that we are now officially accredited by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), formerly known as the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). This accreditation will enable us to provide regulated immigration advice to migrants who are facing a risk of hate crimes or other discrimination.
RSI will soon begin a pilot scheme to delivering free Level 1 (basic) immigration advice to migrants in Belfast, where little free or low-cost advice is available. Our new service is designed to reach those most in need. We aim to provide a sense of security to those who are uncertain about their status, and to empower migrants to understand and exercise their rights. In light of the anti-migrant riots of 2024, we also want to send a clear message that everyone ‘belongs’ in the UK, no matter what their race or religion.
We are proud to return to a chief aspect of our founding mission: delivering direct help that makes a tangible difference in people’s lives, especially in Northern Ireland. Alongside our campaigning and advocacy, this development strengthens our commitment to working at the grassroots level to create lasting change. We will continue to centre the voices and experiences of minoritised communities, and to challenge the systems and policies that drive exclusion and discrimination.
We are honoured to join the dedicated network of practitioners and groups in Northern Ireland working to fill critical gaps in an underserved region.
Everyone deserves a stable and secure life - and we are here to help make that a reality.
