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<p>There are currently seven routes through which asylum seeking and refugee children
can legally enter the UK. To access the UK resettlement schemes, individuals register
with UNHCR. Under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, over 8,500 individuals
have been resettled to the UK, around half of whom are children. Our strategy is to
resettle the most vulnerable children directly from conflict regions, with their family
members, so they do not have to make perilous journeys alone.</p><p>Within the EU,
the primary responsibility for unaccompanied children lies with the Member State in
which they are present. We work closely with EU partners and organisations such as
the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for
Migration (IOM) to identify and transfer children to the UK in line with each individual
Member State’s national laws. In 2016, over 900 children were transferred from the
Europe to the UK.</p><p>In March, the Government published the basis upon which further
referrals under section 67 will be made: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policy-statement-section-67-of-the-immigration-act-2016</a>.
We have invited referrals of children who meet the eligibility criteria that they
were present in Europe before 20 March 2016 and transfer is in their best interests.
In deciding which children to refer, Member States have been asked to prioritise those
likely to qualify for refugee status and/or the most vulnerable. Vulnerability can
be defined by factors which include, but are not limited to, the UNHCR’s <em>Children
at Risk </em>factors. It is for Member States to decide which children to refer.</p><p>More
broadly, we continue to work with our European partners to manage migration and ensure
our collective security. Intelligence exchange between UK law enforcement and Europol
is well-established and routine, including on human trafficking. The National Crime
Agency also support Europol with seconded staff, including within the European Migrant
Smuggling Centre. This cooperation has and continues to assist UK efforts to tackle
trafficking in human beings, including children.</p>
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