Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to unveil what she describes as "the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times" in a statement to the House of Commons today.
Visa Sanctions and International Pressure
The radical plans include imposing Trump-style visa bans on Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo if these nations refuse to cooperate with the return of their citizens who are in the UK illegally. This move would prevent tourists, business travellers, and VIPs from these countries from entering Britain.
"In Britain, we play by the rules," Ms Mahmood stated. "When I said there would be penalties for countries that do not take back criminals and illegal immigrants, I meant it. My message to foreign governments today is clear: accept the return of your citizens or lose the privilege of entering our country."
The policy is reportedly inspired by approaches seen in the United States under former President Donald Trump's administration.
Core Components of the Asylum Shake-Up
Modelled partly on Denmark's system, the reforms aim to make the UK less attractive for illegal immigration while streamlining deportation processes. Key measures include:
- Making refugee status temporary and subject to regular review, with removal once home countries are deemed safe
- Implementing a 20-year wait before refugees can apply for permanent settlement
- Changing how Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to family life) is applied in court cases
- Restricting multiple asylum appeal attempts
- Introducing safe and legal routes to Britain to reduce dangerous Channel crossings
- Using facial age estimation technology to verify asylum seekers' ages
The Home Office has noted a significant increase in rights-based appeals being used to avoid deportation in recent years.
Political Reactions and Justifications
Ms Mahmood, who has been in her role for 73 days, defended the proposals against accusations of racism, describing them instead as a "moral mission".
"Illegal migration is tearing our country apart," she argued. "The crisis at our borders is out of control. I do believe we need to act if we are to retain public consent for having an asylum system at all."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer supported the measures, stating: "Britain has always been a fair, tolerant and compassionate country - and this government will always defend those values. But in a more volatile world, people need to know our borders are secure and rules are enforced."
Opposition responses were mixed. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the focus on illegal immigration but called the plans "weak," while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage remarked that the home secretary "sounds like a Reform supporter" but expressed doubt about the proposals surviving legal challenges.
The Refugee Council warned that the changes could cost £872 million over ten years and would unfairly prevent genuine refugees from integrating into British society.
The announcement comes as 39,075 people have arrived in the UK via small boat crossings so far this year, exceeding the total for all of 2024 (36,816) and 2023 (29,437).
