The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is set to introduce a controversial immigration and asylum bill to Parliament next Tuesday, proposing measures to increase forced removals of refused asylum seekers, introduce stringent age checks for those claiming to be children, and limit applications under human rights laws.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The legislation will direct how Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is applied in immigration and deportation cases. Mahmood has previously argued that the right to family life has sometimes been used to frustrate removals and undermine public confidence in the rule of law. The bill also aims to strengthen age assessments, though a recent report by refugee and children's rights organizations warned that the government's proposed use of AI to estimate age could create new risks for children.
Additionally, the bill will restructure asylum tribunals by replacing the independent court system with a new appeals body within the Home Office, allowing for the immediate forced removal of those who have exhausted all appeals. The modern slavery framework will also be amended to prevent late presentation of claims, according to Whitehall sources.
Reactions and Concerns
The bill faces opposition from some Labour, Lib Dem, and independent MPs. Andy Burnham's team, widely expected to be in No 10 within weeks, is understood to be aware of the bill's contents. Refugee charities have expressed concern that the bill is being rushed through. Jo Cobley, chief executive of Safe Passage International, said: "We were anticipating this bill to be introduced after a new prime minister is confirmed, but it seems the home secretary is determined to push through these harsh plans for refugees."
Cobley added: "We are very concerned about these changes, particularly the anticipated restrictions to family reunion for refugees. The unaccompanied children and families we work with, who have been torn apart by war and persecution, must be able to reunite as a family and get the protection they need."
Anita Hurrell, co-chair of the Refugee and Migrant Children's Consortium, said: "We are concerned about how the measures expected to be in the immigration and asylum bill next week will impact on children including child victims of modern slavery." She noted worries about penalizing children for late disclosure, excluding support for those exploited outside the UK, and how tightening the definition of family life could affect children's ability to reunite with family.
ILR Changes Not Included
The bill will not introduce new rules to double the time required for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from five to ten years for most migrant workers, a move that had prompted backlash from up to 100 Labour MPs, including Angela Rayner. However, these changes could still be introduced via secondary legislation.
