UK to start refusing citizenship to undocumented migrants
UK to start refusing citizenship to undocumented migrants
12 Feb 2025
The United Kingdom government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has unveiled stricter immigration rules aimed at undocumented migrants.
As per the new guidelines, migrants arriving via small boats or discovered hidden in vehicles will typically be refused British citizenship.
The policy shift comes as part of Starmer's plan to tackle migration issues under pressure from Nigel Farage's anti-immigration Reform UK party, which won around four million votes in the recent general election.
Criticism and concerns over new immigration rules
Opposition voices
Previously, refugees who entered by irregular channels had to wait 10 years before being considered for citizenship.
The new immigration rules have drawn criticism from several quarters, including some members of Starmer's own Labour Party.
Labour MP Stella Creasy voiced her concerns on X, saying, "If we give someone refugee status, it can't be right to then refuse them a route to become a British citizen."
She further warned that this policy could leave refugees as "forever second class."
Immigration law blog criticizes new rules
Blog backlash
Free Movement, an immigration law blog that aims to make information available to all those affected by immigration control, has also criticized the new rules.
The blog described the changes as having the potential to "block a large number of refugees from naturalizing as British citizens, effective immediately."
It further labeled the updated guidance as "incredibly spiteful and damaging to integration."
New legislation aims to dismantle smuggling operations
Anti-smuggling efforts
The announcement of the new rules comes after recent parliamentary debates on a new border security, asylum, and immigration bill.
The proposed legislation aims to provide law enforcement with "counter-terror style powers" to break up smuggling gangs behind channel crossings.
The approach is a departure from former PM Rishi Sunak's plan to deport undocumented migrants to Rwanda and instead targets smuggling operations.
Rise in channel crossings between England and France
Migration surge
In 2024, the UK's interior ministry said that 36,816 people were detected crossing the channel between England and France.
This marks a 25% increase from the previous year's 29,437 arrivals. To combat this, Starmer created a new Border Security Command and bolstered collaboration with European partners such as Europol.
According to the Home Office's new guidance, people who have arrived in the UK illegally "having made a dangerous journey...will normally be refused citizenship" from February 10.