More foreign criminals will have their appeals heard from abroad,
preventing them from gaming the system to delay their deportation
from the UK, in the latest step to restore order to the UK's
immigration system as part of the Government's Plan for Change.
The scope of the ‘Deport Now Appeal Later' scheme will be
nearly trebled from eight countries to 23, with foreign
nationals from those countries (listed below) now expected
to be deported to their home countries before they can appeal
against that decision, increasing the UK's ability to remove
foreign criminals at the earliest opportunity, and easing
pressure on the detention and prison estate.
Under the expanded scheme, foreign nationals who have had their
human rights claim refused will be removed from the UK to their
home country before they can appeal the decision. Individuals can
then take part in their UK appeal hearing from overseas using
video technology.
Previously, offenders from the countries in question could remain
in the UK for months or years while their cases were worked
through the appeals system, placing a burden on the taxpayer even
beyond the end of their prison sentence. The Government is in
continuous discussions with a range of other countries about
joining the scheme.
This represents the Government's latest tool in its comprehensive
approach to scaling up our ability to remove foreign criminals.
This has seen almost 5,200 removed since July 2024 – an increase
of 14% compared to the same 12 months prior and builds on wider
action to deliver on the British public's priorities for safer
streets and secure borders through our Plan for Change.
On Sunday, further measures were announced to allow foreign
national offenders to be deported immediately after sentencing,
saving taxpayer money by removing more foreign criminals directly
from our prisons.
In addition, the Home Office is legislating to ensure that asylum
seekers who commit notifiable sex offences can be stripped of
their right to claim refugee protections under new powers in the
Borders Security, Asylum & Immigration Bill.
We have also invested £5 million for the deployment of specialist
staff to almost 80 jails with one clear mission – speeding up
removals.
Home Secretary, said:
For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our
immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years
while their appeals drag on. That has to end. Those who
commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the
system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear
message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced.
Foreign Secretary, , said:
We are leading diplomatic efforts to increase the number of
countries where foreign criminals can be swiftly returned, and if
they want to appeal, they can do so safely from their home
country. Under this scheme, we're investing in international
partnerships that uphold our security and make our streets safer.
In addition to the measures set out above, the government's
Immigration White Paper in May has also set out new plans to
tighten the rules around how Article 8 of the Human Rights Act –
the ‘right to a family life' – may be used when appealing against
deportation orders or the rejection of asylum claims, to ensure
that the UK's immigration rules are no longer abused.
These measures support the Government's Plan for Change mission
to secure borders through systematic immigration reform. The
approach includes returning 35,000 people with no right to remain
since July 2024, surging illegal working raids and arrests by
50%, and increasing asylum decision-making by more than 116%.
