Shabana Mahmood, the UK Home Secretary, plans to introduce significant reforms to the asylum system, aiming to end what she describes as a "golden ticket" for asylum seekers and reduce illegal migration. These proposed changes are heavily inspired by Denmark's strict immigration policies.
Under the new proposals, asylum seekers could face a 20-year waiting period before being eligible to apply for permanent settlement in the UK. There will also be increased restrictions on refugees bringing family members into the country.
The reforms aim to make refugee status temporary, with individuals potentially receiving temporary residence permits of around two years without a guarantee of a permanent visa. Mahmood stated that illegal migration is causing "huge divides" in the UK and that the reforms are necessary to restore public consent for the asylum system.
She believes that the UK's perceived generosity is acting as a pull factor for illegal migrants crossing the Channel. The intention is to break the business model of people smugglers and reduce the incentives for attempting dangerous journeys.
The proposed overhaul is described as the most sweeping set of reforms in modern times and is designed to signal that the UK is not an easy destination for illegal migrants. While not seeking to create a "hostile environment," Mahmood emphasized the need to act to retain public trust in the asylum system.
The reforms are also seen as an effort by Labour to regain public confidence and counter the rise of parties like Reform UK. The article also mentions that senior Home Office officials visited Copenhagen to learn about Denmark's asylum policies, which have reportedly led to a significant reduction in asylum applications and increased deportations of rejected asylum seekers.
