The Home Secretary is set to introduce new measures on Monday to revamp human rights laws aimed at expediting deportations, marking the most significant overhaul of the asylum system since World War II.
The proposed tough approach includes steps to increase the expulsion of foreign offenders and individuals entering Britain unlawfully. It involves alterations to a crucial aspect of European human rights legislation, limitations on appeals, and a stricter enforcement of modern slavery statutes.
These initiatives follow concerns raised by Ms Mahmood about the chaotic state of the asylum system in Britain and the disruptive impact of illegal immigration on the nation. The influx of 39,075 individuals arriving in the UK via small boats this year is only surpassed by the record numbers seen in 2022.
The strategy encompasses new laws to redefine the interpretation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) by the judiciary. The Home Office asserts that this provision, safeguarding the right to family and private life, is being misused, particularly by serious criminals.
Furthermore, the reforms aim to clarify that family ties refer strictly to immediate family members like parents or children, preventing individuals from exploiting weak connections to prolong their stay in the UK. Asylum seekers will be restricted to a single appeal opportunity, and a dedicated entity will be established to expedite cases involving dangerous criminals or those with minimal chances of success.
Legislation will also be introduced to safeguard the Modern Slavery Act from misuse by individuals attempting to prolong their residency in the UK. In alignment with Denmark’s stringent system, asylum seekers utilizing illegal routes will face a 20-year waiting period before being eligible for permanent settlement.
Refugee status will be provisional and subject to periodic review, with individuals repatriated once their home countries are deemed safe. To counterbalance the stringent measures, three novel legal pathways will be established, including limited work and study options and a sponsorship scheme for refugees, resembling the Homes for Ukraine initiative.
In response, Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of maintaining secure borders and enforcing regulations while upholding the values of fairness, tolerance, and compassion in Britain. The proposed changes have raised concerns among charities, with critics accusing the government of recycling unsuccessful strategies previously proposed by the Conservative party.
Despite the backlash, the Home Secretary defended the reforms, emphasizing her personal connection to migration as the daughter of lawful immigrants. She reiterated the necessity of addressing illegal migration to preserve social cohesion and uphold the rule of law.
Sunder Katwala, Director of the immigration think tank British Future, criticized the government for revisiting unsuccessful tactics and urged the adoption of a comprehensive strategy involving secure pathways and the repatriation of irregular arrivals to disrupt human smuggling operations.
Similarly, Sile Reynolds, Head of Asylum Advocacy at Freedom from Torture, condemned the proposed measures for exacerbating the plight of refugees who have already endured significant losses, emphasizing the importance of upholding human rights for all individuals.
The escalating tensions surrounding the asylum system have culminated in protests outside accommodations housing migrants, with recent demonstrations in Crowborough, East Sussex, contesting government plans to house asylum seekers in a decommissioned army training camp nearby. Sussex Police reported a peaceful demonstration with no arrests made.
