Immigration is a reserved matter, meaning policy and legislation on migration is decided at Westminster rather than by the devolved administration. There are, however, a plethora of policy issues directly related to migration which have local impact and are subject to decision-making at the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Northern Ireland Strategic Migration Partnership seeks to increase representation of regionally specific issues in national immigration policy, as well as promoting awareness and mainstreaming of migration issues in the wider policy field in Northern Ireland. It does this through:
- Promoting relevant policy consultation processes;
- Identifying key stakeholders and providing information and explanatory notes about ongoing consultations;
- Organising consultation events for wider stakeholders; and
- Producing responses on behalf of the Partnership Board to relevant consultations.