The Home Secretary has announced sweeping changes to Britain’s immigration system, including potential visa bans for some countries and the fast-track removal of failed asylum seekers.
Borders minister Alex Norris said on Monday that the changes, inspired by policies from Denmark and the Donald Trump’s US administration, will stop the UK being seen as a “golden ticket” for some migrants and bring down the numbers being housed in hotels.
The reforms, billed as the most radical since World War II, will see an overhaul of human rights laws and a series of other measures designed to deter people from crossing the Channel in small boats.
But the plans have already sparked opposition from backbench Labour MPs.
Here are the major changes:
Visa Bans
Three African countries - Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo - are set to face visa sanctions that will block tourists, VIPs and workers from travelling to Britain if they do not co-operate more on the removal of illegal migrants.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “In Britain, we play by the rules. 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 border minister confirmed the Government was looking at other countries that refuse to take back migrants with visa bans, including India.
Mr Norris told Times Radio on Monday: “We are looking at all of our agreements with every country, and if we do not think we're getting that right engagement, that right commitment, then of course we reserve all opportunities to escalate that.”
Deportation Appeals
The Home Secretary is set to changes to how the right to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is applied in migration cases and restricting the number of appeals people are allowed against refusals for asylum.
The ECHR protects people from torture or degrading treatment, while Article 8 guarantees the right to family and private life.
Failed asylum seekers have used the legislation to avoid deportation from Britain.
Only those with immediate relatives, such as children or parents, will be able to remain in the UK in future.
Ms Mahmood also plans to change the law so that multiple attempts to appeal against refusals for asylum will no longer be allowed.
Refugee Status
One of the most controversial measures is the changes to refugee status. Under the proposals, refugees will have temporary status and be required to reapply to remain in the country every two and a half years.
Migrants will have to wait two decades before they can apply for permanent UK settlement.
The plan is modelled on Denmark’s hostile migration system. It means that people granted asylum could be returned to their home countries if they are considered safe in the future.
The Government will create an independent body to fast-track the deportation of foreign criminals and cases with little prospect of success through the appeals system.
Asylum charities have already hit out at the scheme, warning it could lead to Windrush-style mass deportations of people who have lived in Britain for many years.
The Refugee Council estimated that the Home Office would need to review the refugee status of up to 1.4 million people between now and 2035.
Valuables
In another move borrowed from Denmark, the Government is understood to be planning to confiscate valuables from asylum seekers when they arrive in Britain.
It has been reported that this could include cars, bikes, jewellery and watches but not wedding rings or heirlooms.
Reaction
Backbench Labour MPs are said to be uneasy about some of the measures.
Folkestone MP Tony Vaughan described the immigration reforms as a “wrong turning”.
He said: “The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning. The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
“We absolutely need immigration controls. And where those controls decide to grant asylum, we should welcome and integrate, not create perpetual limbo and alienation.
“The rhetoric around these reforms encourages the same culture of divisiveness that sees racism and abuse growing in our communities. The Government is wrong to think that reviews of safety in the person's country every few years will mean refugees can be returned at scale.
“That hasn't happened in Denmark. Brutal dictators tend to hang onto power.”
He added: “The Government must think again on this.”
The Borders Minister urged Labour MPs to wait for the Home Secretary's announcement amid a backbench outcry over plans to toughen up the asylum system
Mr Norris told Times Radio that backbenchers “have not seen the package yet and I ask them to look at it closely. I know they will.”
He added: “What I say to them is we cannot be defenders of a broken system. The system is not safe, the system is not controlled and it's eroding public confidence.”
