Britain's home secretary plans to implement sweeping asylum reforms that would require refugees to wait two decades before seeking permanent residency, warning that unauthorized immigration has become deeply divisive. Shabana Mahmood will propose regular status reviews every 30 months and mandatory returns for individuals whose countries of origin are reclassified as safe.
The government will threaten visa restrictions against Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo unless those nations improve cooperation on deportations, targeting what officials describe as obstructive removal processes. Mahmood emphasized that the changes aim to eliminate perceived advantages asylum seekers receive over British citizens, including making housing and financial assistance discretionary for those who can legally work.
Opposition parties criticized the approach from different angles. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp dismissed the measures as insufficient, advocating for withdrawal from European human rights conventions and deportations within seven days. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey suggested granting asylum seekers work authorization would reduce government expenditures while benefiting the economy.
The government will threaten visa restrictions against Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo unless those nations improve cooperation on deportations, targeting what officials describe as obstructive removal processes. Mahmood emphasized that the changes aim to eliminate perceived advantages asylum seekers receive over British citizens, including making housing and financial assistance discretionary for those who can legally work.
Opposition parties criticized the approach from different angles. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp dismissed the measures as insufficient, advocating for withdrawal from European human rights conventions and deportations within seven days. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey suggested granting asylum seekers work authorization would reduce government expenditures while benefiting the economy.
