Lambeth Reviews Immigration Enforcement – South London 2026

Key Points

• Lambeth Council announced an urgent review of its arrangements for sharing information and intelligence relating to immigration enforcement activity at the start of Refugee Week
• The review has been commissioned by Councillor Jonathan Bartley, Lambeth Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer, Thriving Neighbourhoods
• The review will examine current policies, practices and partnerships across the council and its commissioned services
• The review will establish a clear and transparent picture of the Council’s existing information sharing arrangements
• Cllr Bartley stated that immigration raids are causing fear and dividing Lambeth’s communities
• Over a thousand immigration raids have been conducted in Lambeth according to Green Party of England and Wales
• Lambeth is home to people from every corner of the world, with diversity being one of its greatest strengths
• The council wants all residents to feel safe, valued and able to engage with public services without fear
• The review will determine what is happening now, under what circumstances information is being shared, and whether current arrangements reflect the borough’s aspirations
• Lambeth is an official Borough of Sanctuary with a dedicated Sanctuary Services Team

Lambeth (South London News) June 20, 2026 – Lambeth Council has announced an urgent review of its arrangements for sharing information and intelligence relating to immigration enforcement activity, marking a significant development at the start of Refugee Week. The decision comes amid growing concerns about the impact of immigration raids on local communities and their sense of safety when accessing public services.

Why Has Councillor Jonathan Bartley Commissioned This Review of Information Sharing with Immigration Enforcement?

The review has been commissioned by Councillor Jonathan Bartley, Lambeth Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer, Thriving Neighbourhoods. As reported by the official Lambeth Council news service, Bartley stated that the review

“will examine current policies, practices and partnerships across the council and its commissioned services”.

The cabinet member explained that the review

“will establish a clear and transparent picture of the Council’s existing information sharing arrangements”.

This comprehensive examination aims to provide council officials and residents with an accurate understanding of how information currently flows between the council and immigration enforcement authorities.

How Do Immigration Raids Impact Lambeth’s Diverse Communities?

As reported by (journalist name not specified) of (Express.co.uk), Cllr Bartley remarked that immigration raids, which are conducted only when there is suspicion of someone being in the UK unlawfully, are “instilling fear and fracturing the communities of Lambeth”. The Green Party of England and Wales, as reported on their official Facebook page, stated that

“there have been over a thousand immigration raids right here in Lambeth”.

Cllr Bartley emphasized the council’s commitment to diversity, stating:

“Lambeth is home to people from every corner of the world. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths and we want all residents to feel safe, valued and able to engage with public services without fear”.

This statement reflects the council’s recognition that immigration enforcement activities may be creating barriers between residents and essential public services.

What Specific Questions Will the Review Address Regarding Information Sharing Arrangements?

As reported by the official Lambeth Council news service, Cllr Bartley said:

“Immigration raids are causing fear and dividing Lambeth’s communities. As Refugee Week begins, it is right that we take a careful and transparent look at how information is shared in relation to immigration enforcement activity”.

The councillor outlined three key questions the review will address:

“We need a clear picture of what is happening now, under what circumstances information is being shared, and whether current arrangements reflect the kind of borough we aspire to be”.

These questions will guide the examination of current policies and help determine whether adjustments are needed to align with the council’s values.

How Does Lambeth’s Status as a Borough of Sanctuary Influence This Decision?

Lambeth holds official status as a Borough of Sanctuary, with its Sanctuary Services Team working to collect information to help sanctuary seekers and those supporting them.

As reported by the official Lambeth Council website, the council has been actively supporting sanctuary seekers since at least 2023, when they published a “Welcome Pack for Sanctuary-Seekers in Lambeth”.

This established commitment to supporting sanctuary seekers provides important context for the current review.

The council’s existing sanctuary framework demonstrates a long-term approach to supporting migrants and refugees, which may influence how the review examines current information sharing practices.

What Concerns Have Been Raised About Residents Accessing Public Services Due to Immigration Enforcement?

The Green Party of England and Wales, as reported on their official Facebook page, highlighted serious concerns about residents’ ability to access help:

“They may be suffering domestic abuse or be exploited by a landlord”.

This statement suggests that fear of immigration enforcement may prevent vulnerable residents from seeking essential protection and support services.

Cllr Bartley’s comments reinforce this concern, emphasizing that the council wants

“all residents to feel safe, valued and able to engage with public services without fear”.

The review aims to determine whether current information sharing arrangements are creating barriers that prevent residents from accessing necessary services.

When Will the Review Be Completed and What Will Happen to Its Findings?

The official Lambeth Council news service announced the review on June 14, 2026, but did not specify a completion date for the examination.

The announcement states that the review “has been commissioned” and “will examine” current practices, indicating that the work is either underway or will begin shortly.

The council has not yet announced how the findings will be shared with residents or what specific actions might follow the review’s completion.

However, Cllr Bartley’s emphasis on establishing “a clear and transparent picture” suggests that the council intends to make the findings publicly available.

How Does This Development Compare to Other Councils’ Approaches to Immigration Enforcement Cooperation?

The Express reported that this is a “Green council” threatening not to cooperate with migrant rule enforcement, suggesting this may represent a distinctive approach compared to other local authorities.

The Green-led administration at Lambeth Council appears to be taking a more critical stance on immigration enforcement cooperation than might be typical across London boroughs.

As reported by North East Updates on Facebook,

“A Green-led administration at Lambeth Council immigration enforcement raids may create fear within local communities,”

indicating that the council’s political leadership is directly influencing this policy review.

What Role Does Refugee Week Play in Timing This Announcement?

The council specifically chose to announce this review at the start of Refugee Week, a timing decision that Cllr Bartley explicitly acknowledged. As reported by the official Lambeth Council news service, Bartley stated:

“As Refugee Week begins, it is right that we take a careful and transparent look at how information is shared in relation to immigration enforcement activity”.

Refugee Week is an annual celebration in the UK that highlights the contributions of refugees and seeks to build understanding around refugee issues.

The timing of this announcement suggests the council is using the week’s focus on refugee rights and experiences to underscore the importance of examining immigration enforcement cooperation.

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Background of the Development

This review emerges within Lambeth Council’s longer-standing commitment to supporting sanctuary seekers and refugees. The council has been an official Borough of Sanctuary for several years, with a dedicated Sanctuary Services Team established to support migrants and refugees.

In 2023, the council published a comprehensive

“Welcome Pack for Sanctuary-Seekers in Lambeth,”

demonstrating ongoing institutional support for this population.

The decision to review immigration enforcement cooperation follows concerns raised by council officials and political leaders about the impact of over 1,000 immigration raids conducted in Lambeth.

Councillor Jonathan Bartley, who commissioned the review, holds the position of Cabinet Member for Safer, Thriving Neighbourhoods, indicating this falls within his formal responsibilities for community safety and neighbourhood wellbeing.

The timing coincides with Refugee Week 2026, which the council explicitly acknowledged as a significant factor in their decision to announce the review.

The Green Party-led administration at Lambeth appears to be taking a distinctly critical stance on immigration enforcement cooperation compared to other approaches across London boroughs.

Prediction: How This Development Can affect Lambeth Residents and Sanctuary Seekers

This review could significantly affect Lambeth residents, particularly sanctuary seekers and migrants, by potentially reducing barriers to accessing public services.

If the council determines that current information sharing arrangements create fear, residents may feel more comfortable seeking help for domestic abuse, landlord exploitation, or other essential services without担心 about immigration consequences.

The review’s findings could influence how sanctuary seekers engage with council services, potentially increasing participation in health, education, and social support programs if fears about information sharing are reduced.

Residents who currently avoid public services due to immigration enforcement concerns may become more willing to engage if the council modifies its cooperation policies based on the review’s recommendations.

For the broader Lambeth community, this development could strengthen the borough’s commitment to its diversity values, potentially improving community cohesion if residents feel the council is taking concrete steps to address concerns about immigration enforcement.

The transparent approach to examining information sharing arrangements may help build trust between the council and diverse communities, supporting the council’s stated goal that

“all residents to feel safe, valued and able to engage with public services without fear”.

If the review results in reduced cooperation with immigration enforcement, this could position Lambeth as a more protective environment for sanctuary seekers compared to other London boroughs, potentially influencing migration patterns and refuge-seeking decisions for individuals considering where to settle in London.