The recent measures introduced by the Home Office have made it significantly harder for refugees who arrive in the UK via small boats to obtain British citizenship. According to the new guidance, individuals who enter the UK unlawfully will typically be denied citizenship, regardless of how long it has been since their arrival. The strengthened rules explicitly state that those who enter the country illegally, including through small boats, will have their British citizenship application rejected.
Critics of the new measures, such as the Refugee Council and some Labour MPs like Stella Creasy, have voiced their opposition. Stella Creasy expressed concerns that the changes would relegate refugees to second-class citizenship status. The modifications to the guidelines for visa and immigration staff were revealed by the Free Movement blog. The updated guidance stipulates that individuals who previously entered the UK unlawfully and apply for citizenship after February 10, 2025, will generally be turned down, regardless of the duration since their illegal entry.
Additionally, individuals who undertake a perilous journey, such as arriving by small boat or hiding in a vehicle, will also face refusal of citizenship if they apply after February 10, 2025. The previous requirement for refugees arriving via irregular routes to wait ten years before being considered for British citizenship has been discarded. The Refugee Council estimates that approximately 71,000 refugees will be impacted by these new guidelines, preventing them from achieving British citizenship.
Enver Solomon, the CEO of the charity, criticized the government’s decision, stating that it goes against public sentiment and hampers the integration and contribution of refugees to their new communities. Despite the new guidance, citizenship applications will still be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The Home Office maintains that there are existing rules in place to prevent those who arrive in the UK illegally from acquiring citizenship and asserts that the updated guidance reinforces the stance that illegal entrants, including small boat arrivals, will be refused British citizenship
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