The United Kingdom is making its refugee status temporary, not permanent, as the government tilts towards the policy in other European countries.
The country also threatened to hit some nations in Africa and other continents with visa sanctions over the barrier affecting the repatriation of their citizens.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave the warning on Monday in her address to the House of Commons concerning significant reforms to the UK’s asylum and returns system.
Henceforth, a grant of refugee status will last two and a half years, not five, renewable only if the refugee can not return home. “Permanent settlement will now come at 20 years, not five,” Mahmood declared.
Laying out the change on deportations, the MP said that where the hurdle to a return is not the individual, nor the UK government, but the receiving country, the British government “will take action.
Mahmood disclosed the warning to Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Namibia: “If they do not comply with international rules and norms, we will impose visa penalties on them.”
The Secretary told the parliament that nations deemed uncooperative have also been cautioned: “Unless other countries heed this lesson, further sanctions will follow.”
She insists the UK “must remove those who have failed asylum claims,” saying the government is currently not removing family groups even though their home country is perfectly safe.
Citing an instance, Mahmood pointed to 700 Albanian families still living in taxpayer-funded accommodation having failed their asylum claims, despite an existing returns agreement with Albania.
“We will now begin the removal of families,” she stated. “We will encourage a voluntary return, but where an enforced return is necessary, that is what we will do.”
Mahmood admitted that while some refugees are genuine, others are economic migrants seeking to use and abuse the asylum system, a situation that has placed a heavy burden on the UK.
The Secretary revealed 400,000 have sought asylum in the last four years, while over 100,000 live in asylum accommodation; more than half of refugees remain on benefits eight years after arrival.
Mahmood said the system was unfair to the British public, who foot the bill, adding that to maintain the generosity, which allows the provision of sanctuary, order and control must be restored.
Since PM Keir Starmer assumed office in July 2024, removals have reached nearly 50,000, with over 8,000 arrests during immigration enforcement. More than 50,000 were granted refugee status in the last year.
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