A newly formed Reform UK Government would immediately review all
asylum grants going back 5 years to determine (1) if they entered
the country illegally (e.g. via a small boat, clandestinely or
using fake documentation); (2) if they overstayed their visa and
then claimed asylum; or (3) if their country of origin is now
deemed safe by the UK government.
If one or more of the three criteria apply their (and their
dependents') leave to remain will be revoked and they will be
given a period of time to leave the country, after which they
will be deported by UK Deportation Command as part of Operation
Restoring Justice.
Assuming a Reform UK Government is formed after a General
Election in 2029, the party expects over 400,000 people to be in
scope of this policy. This is based on grants over the last two
years, those currently in the asylum system, and those expected
to enter it over the next three years.
Reform UK's Shadow Home Secretary Zia Yusuf
said:
“For years, Tory and Labour governments have presided over an
invasion of Britain. They have effectively operated an open
borders policy. Instead of upholding the law, they have rewarded
those who broke it by entering Britain illegally.
"Reform will reverse this.
"Today we announce that a Reform government will review the
previous 5 years of asylum grants, and anyone who broke into the
country illegally or overstayed on another visa will be stripped
of their status and deported. We will do what it takes to restore
justice in Britain."
Circa 55% of asylum applicants arrived by small boat,
clandestinely or without relevant documentation over the last
five years (based on Home Office data). This means the vast
majority of people in scope will have their humanitarian status
revoked under these plans.
Reform UK estimates that this policy of reversing asylum grants
would save taxpayers £137 billion in real terms net lifetime
fiscal costs, and £57 billion on a discounted basis. The savings
over the next Parliament (2029-34) will be £14.3 billion in real
terms and £11.9 billion discounted.
Notes to editors:
- Reform UK is committed to leaving the European Convention on
Human Rights (ECHR), derogating from the 1951 Refugee Convention
and passing the Illegal Migration (Mass Deportation) Act.
- Individuals who are determined to fall into one (or more) of
the three groups above would lose their leave to remain (becoming
liable to deportation) under this policy.
- Those individuals would have humanitarian protection,
discretionary leave to remain, indefinite leave to remain (ILR),
or be in the asylum system.
- We would trace those with a visa status via their eVisa data
and revoke it via administrative action or legislation. Those
within the asylum system would be immediately detained and
prioritised for deportation.
- Individuals on Ukrainian schemes and British National
(Overseas) visas are unaffected by our announcement.
