Politics1 min read

Shabana Mahmood accused of hardening immigration plans for 200,000 successful asylum applicants

By · Via The Guardian Politics · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The Home Secretary's "Core Protection" model shifts away from granting permanent residency almost automatically after five years, requiring applicants to repeatedly prove their need for asylum. The Refugee Council criticized the move, noting it directly contradicts prior government memos and public statements assuring five-year settlement pathways for legitimate refugees. While ministers relaxed separate immigration measures for care workers following pressure from Labour MPs and unions, the Home Office defended its asylum stance as unchanged.

Key points

  • Under the proposed framework, refugee status can be revoked if an applicant's home countr…: Under the proposed framework, refugee status can be revoked if an applicant's home country is determined to be safe during reviews.
  • Critics argue the 30-month renewal cycle will trigger costly administrative backlogs for…: Critics argue the 30-month renewal cycle will trigger costly administrative backlogs for the government while fostering prolonged instability.
  • The policy marks a sharp reversal from earlier assurances that individuals with existing…: The policy marks a sharp reversal from earlier assurances that individuals with existing claims could settle after five years.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Shabana Mahmood has been accused of causing “distress and uncertainty” to hundreds of thousands of refugees by quietly introducing plans to force them to wait up to 30 years before being granted the right to settle in the UK.

The Refugee Council said the home secretary’s hardening of plans came despite her personal reassurances last year that only “illegal entrants who are not refugees will face a 30-year wait for settlement”.

In a further tightening of the rules, a cohort of 200,000 successful asylum applicants who were told they could apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years will now face reviews of their status every 30 months.

Mahmood announced a series of immigration proposals on Monday, some of which softened the rules for care workers and their families after unions, cabinet members and backbench Labour MPs voiced their concerns.

Refugees who arrive by irregular means, by small boat for example, will face a 30-year wait for settlement in the UK under the new plans.

Last year’s consultation included a proposal that people who arrived irregularly would face a…

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