Three African countries could be blocked from accessing UK visas if they don’t cooperate on illegal migration, following a Trump-style threat from the Home Secretary.
It means tourists, VIPs and businesspeople from the countries would be blocked from travelling to the UK unless they agree to take back more migrants.
Shabana Mahmood was inspired by the US President’s hardline homeland security secretary Kristi Noem for the move, according to the Times.
The first three countries targeted by her threat are Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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.’
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Her announcement comes as she prepares to set out plans to transform the UK’s asylum and refugee system in an effort to drive down the numbers arriving in small boats.
A statement on the reforms, which have already generated backlash from some Labour MPs, will be made in the House of Commons today.
Among the major changes – described by the Home Office as the most significant for the asylum system in modern times – are:
- Reduced support: Government support such as housing and weekly allowances will become discretionary rather than automatic, and may be denied to those who can work, have assets or break the law
- Changes to benefits: Following a review next year, refugees may need to ‘contribute and integrate into UK society’ if they are to continue receiving benefits
- Longer qualifying period: Refugees can currently apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years – this will be extended to 20 years for those who arrive illegally
- Temporary refugee status: Like Denmark, refugee status will become subject to a periodic review and people will be told to return home once it becomes safe for them to do so
- ECHR reforms: The Home Secretary will announce changes to the way the UK applies two articles of the ECHR – article 8, the right to a family life, and article 3, which covers torture and degrading treatment
- New legal routes: Capped routes for work and study will be created to reduce the demand for places on small boats and offer sanctuary for those genuinely fleeing war and persecution
Meanwhile, the removal of dangerous criminals is expected to fast-tracked, as will hearings for last-minute appeals against deportation.
And the Home Office has also announced plans to introduce an artificial intelligence system which can identify if asylum seekers are lying about being underage.
Beyond Trump’s US, Mahmood is said to have been inspired by the approach to illegal migration taken by the Danish government.
The Scandinavians have seen asylum claims fall to a 40-year low under their reformed system, which has deported 95% of those who do not meet stringent criteria.
However, the Home Secretary’s plans have been criticised by charities including Freedom from Torture and the Refugee Council, which estimated they would cost £872 million over 10 years.
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Council, said the moves would ‘unfairly prevent men, women and children from integrating into British life’ and had ‘echoes’ of the Windrush scandal.
He continued: ‘People who have fled war and persecution will be left in intense anxiety and uncertainty for up to 20 years, which will be the toughest arrangement in Europe.
‘A child who is settled at school, studying hard for their GCSEs, could be uprooted and forcibly removed, possibly being detained as part of that process.
‘It will be hugely traumatic and harmful, preventing them from going on to university and becoming a doctor, lawyer or teacher, contributing to the UK as a proud Briton.’
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