The United Kingdom is set to tighten visa rules for countries that do not cooperate in repatriating their citizens, marking one of the most assertive immigration enforcement measures under the Labour government.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood indicated that the UK will implement what officials describe as “Trump-style visa restrictions,” aimed at pressuring foreign governments to speed up documentation and facilitate the return of deported individuals.
The policy is expected to roll out gradually, initially targeting nations with consistently low levels of cooperation.
UK authorities have identified Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo as likely to be among the first affected. Under the plan, citizens of these countries could be barred from obtaining UK visas until local governments show improved readiness to accept deportees, including migrants with criminal convictions.
British officials claim these African nations have delayed thousands of return cases by taking months to issue travel documents and insisting that migrants sign their own repatriation forms a step that many refuse, slowing the deportation process. The Home Office argues that such delays have hindered enforcement and contributed to a growing backlog in removal operations.
Other potential targets include India, one of the UK’s largest sources of migration. Reports suggest that if cooperation on deportations does not improve, India could face similar visa restrictions. Any action against India would carry significant economic and diplomatic implications due to its sizable workforce in the UK tech sector and ongoing trade negotiations.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to tighten the UK’s immigration system amid rising political pressure to reduce net migration. Officials are also seeking to limit the use of human rights claims to challenge deportation orders.
Key Changes to Legal Framework
The proposals include revising how courts interpret Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which safeguards private and family life. Under the new rules, only immediate family members parents or children would qualify for appeals, reducing the broader family claims that have previously delayed removals.
The government also plans to clarify the application of Article 3, which bars deportations to countries where individuals may face inhumane treatment. Officials argue that its interpretation has become too broad in recent years.
To streamline the process, migrants would be required to present all grounds for appeal simultaneously. Failing to do so could lead to immediate removal once a claim is denied, closing a loophole that has previously extended deportation timelines.
Despite the stricter approach to illegal migration, the UK intends to expand legal avenues for refugees through new work and study programs. Selected candidates, referred by the UNHCR, would be hosted by British families, following a model similar to the one used for Ukrainian arrivals. Officials say this scheme aims to reduce reliance on asylum hotels, which cost taxpayers over £2 billion in the 2024–25 financial year.
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Source:gistlover.com
