Backlash over ‘spiteful’ move to block small boat refugees from ever claiming British citizenship – UK politics live
Stella Creasy says Home Office decision ‘erects more barriers’ to refugees integrating and contributing to communities in UKSonia Lenegan revealed the new Home Office policy in a post on the Free Movement website yeseterday. She found out about the change by looking at additions to the Good Character guidance for immigration caseworkers. Here are the two key passages that have been added.Any person applying for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who previously entered the UK illegally will normally be refused, regardless of the time that has passed since the illegal entry took place.A person who applies for citizenship from 10 February 2025 who has previously arrived without a required valid entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation, having made a dangerous journey will normally be refused citizenship.A dangerous journey includes, but is not limited to, travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance. It does not include, for example, arrival as a passenger with a commercial airline.Naturalisation applications are expensive and there is no right of appeal against a refusal, so even though the guidance states that applications will “normally” be refused, meaning that there is room to ask for discretion to be exercised and a grant still made even where there has been illegal entry, in reality many people will be deterred by this change from even applying.By repealing that section, the bill will create a pathway to citizenship for people who entered the country illegally, and I think that is unconscionable. Continue reading...
admin
Stella Creasy says Home Office decision ‘erects more barriers’ to refugees integrating and contributing to communities in UK
Sonia Lenegan revealed the new Home Office policy in a post on the Free Movement website yeseterday. She found out about the change by looking at additions to the Good Character guidance for immigration caseworkers. Here are the two key passages that have been added.
Any person applying for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who previously entered the UK illegally will normally be refused, regardless of the time that has passed since the illegal entry took place.
A person who applies for citizenship from 10 February 2025 who has previously arrived without a required valid entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation, having made a dangerous journey will normally be refused citizenship.
A dangerous journey includes, but is not limited to, travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance. It does not include, for example, arrival as a passenger with a commercial airline.
Naturalisation applications are expensive and there is no right of appeal against a refusal, so even though the guidance states that applications will “normally” be refused, meaning that there is room to ask for discretion to be exercised and a grant still made even where there has been illegal entry, in reality many people will be deterred by this change from even applying.
By repealing that section, the bill will create a pathway to citizenship for people who entered the country illegally, and I think that is unconscionable.
Continue reading...
