Britain has warned three African countries that their citizens could soon lose access to UK visas if they continue refusing to take back migrants deemed to be staying in the UK illegally. The Home Office announced that Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have one month to cooperate on accepting the return of their nationals, including those labelled as “criminals and illegal immigrants.”
polarizingHome Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to unveil what the government is calling the most extensive crackdown on irregular migration in modern British history. Immigration remains one of the UK’s most polarising political issues and has fuelled a rise in support for the right-wing Reform UK party.
The proposed overhaul targets people crossing the English Channel in small boats and introduces harsh penalties for countries with high asylum claim rates. Measures include an “emergency brake” on visas, removal of automatic benefits for asylum seekers, and major cuts to protections previously granted to refugees.
Government figures show asylum applications have increased, yet positive initial decisions dropped from 2023 to 2024. In contrast, the UK has issued thousands of visas under humanitarian schemes for Ukrainians, Afghans, and Hong Kong residents.
A particularly controversial proposal—heavily criticized by refugee organizations and Labour MPs—would slash the standard refugee status duration from five years to just 30 months, signaling a tougher stance on long-term protections.
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