Children born in Britain to refugee parents could face deportation under proposed changes to the UK's asylum system. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood plans to make refugee status temporary, requiring reviews every 30 months, and permanent settlement would necessitate a 20-year wait.
Those fleeing conflict would be expected to return when their home countries are deemed safe. Under the proposed overhaul, refugees will lose the automatic right to bring their spouses and children to the UK.
Asylum seekers awaiting claim processing will only receive financial support if deemed necessary. Judges will be instructed not to prevent the deportation of illegal migrants and foreign criminals based on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to a family life.
Crucially, the restrictions are expected to extend to children born to refugees in the UK who do not automatically gain British citizenship. This is because British citizenship at birth is contingent on at least one parent being a British citizen or having settled status, and the UK does not recognize birthright citizenship.
While children can acquire citizenship after continuously living in Britain for 10 years, the Home Office is still considering specific pathways for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and families. The proposals, which draw inspiration from Danish policies, have faced criticism.
Lord Alf Dubs, a child refugee himself, accused the Home Secretary of using children as a deterrent. Critics also suggest the plans may face legal challenges in court, potentially requiring the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights and scrap the Human Rights Act, a move the Attorney-General has indicated will not happen.
Human rights charities have labeled the plans impractical, costly, and inhumane, estimating review processes could cost £872 million per decade. The government maintains the changes are necessary to restore order and control to the asylum system and deter illegal migration.
