PA MediaThe federal government has toughened up guidelines making it virtually not possible for a refugee who arrives within the UK on a small boat to change into a British citizen.
New steerage states that anybody who enters the UK illegally having made a harmful journey, which could possibly be by way of boat, but additionally by means resembling hiding in a car, will usually be refused citizenship, whatever the time that has handed.
In a press release, the House Workplace mentioned the strengthened measures made it clear that anybody who entered the UK illegally would face having a British citizenship software refused.
However, the change has been condemned by the Refugee Council and a few Labour MPs – together with Stella Creasy who mentioned the change “meant refugees would ceaselessly stay second class residents”.
Adjustments, first disclosed by the Free Motion weblog, have been launched to steerage for visa and immigration workers on Monday.
The modifications imply that anybody deemed to have entered the nation illegally – together with these already right here – will be unable to use for citizenship.
Described as a “clarification” to case employee steerage when assessing if a claimant is of “good character’, it says: “Any particular person making use of for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who beforehand entered the UK illegally will usually be refused, whatever the time that has handed for the reason that unlawful entry occurred.”
One other new entry to the identical steerage says: “An individual who applies for citizenship from 10 February 2025 who has beforehand arrived with out a required legitimate entry clearance or digital journey authorisation, having made a harmful journey will usually be refused citizenship.
“A harmful journey contains, however is just not restricted to, travelling by small boat or hid in a car or different conveyance.”
Beforehand, refugees who had arrived by irregular routes would wish to attend 10 years earlier than being thought of.
Beneath UK regulation, it’s now an offence to enter the nation with out permission, whereas worldwide regulation states that refugees shouldn’t be penalised for unlawful entry.
Commenting on the brand new steerage for refugees, Labour MP Creasy mentioned she labored with a younger man who after fleeing Syria and gaining a level is now “contributing to our society, and has now received British citizenship”.
“This course of would deny that,” she advised BBC Radio 4’s Right this moment programme.
Creasy additionally claimed the change to guidelines on citizenship for refugees would “deny” Paddington Bear from acquiring a British passport.
The fictional character famously arrived within the UK by stowing away on a ship from his house in Peru.
“Primarily it will deny, nicely, frankly, Paddington,” Creasy mentioned.
“Paddington did the identical factor. He got here by an irregular route, however we gave him sanctuary however would not give him a passport.”
Lord Blunkett, the previous Labour house secretary, urged the federal government to “mirror on the societal and cohesion facets” of the coverage.
He referred to as on ministers to contemplate “the influence on youngsters and their proper to UK citizenship and the statelessness which might arrive for people if their start nation refused to resume or retain their nationality”.
“Absolutely this Parliament ought to have a say in such an enormous change,” he advised the Home of Lords.
In response, House Workplace minister Lord Hanson of Flint mentioned youngsters will likely be “thought of sympathetically below current laws to this point”.
The i newspaper reported that youngsters will likely be exempt from the brand new steerage on citizenship if caseworkers choose that their unlawful technique of entry was outdoors their very own management. BBC Information has approached the House Workplace for remark.
The Refugee Council estimates the steerage will stop no less than 71,000 refugees from acquiring British citizenship.
Enver Solomon, CEO of the charity, mentioned the federal government’s transfer “flies within the face of purpose”.
“The British public need refugees who’ve been given security in our nation to combine into and contribute to their new communities, so it is senseless for the federal government to erect extra limitations.
“We all know that males girls and kids who’re refugees need to really feel a part of the nation that has given them a house, and help to rebuild their lives.
“We urge ministers to urgently rethink.”
In the meantime, immigration barrister Colin Yeo claimed on social media that it’s a “clear breach of the refugee conference”.
Though the Conservatives have but to reply to the federal government’s choice, Tory chief Kemi Badenoch advised the BBC final week that she believes the appropriate to citizenship and everlasting residency “ought to solely go to those that have demonstrated an actual dedication to the UK”.
Badenoch spoke about her proposals to toughen up citizenship guidelines by making it tougher for brand new immigrants to have the ability to completely settle within the UK.
Citizenship purposes will proceed to be thought of on a case-by-case foundation, it’s understood.
A House Workplace spokesperson mentioned: “There are already guidelines that may stop these arriving illegally from gaining citizenship.
“This steerage additional strengthens measures to make it clear that anybody who enters the UK illegally, together with small boat arrivals, faces having a British citizenship software refused.”
