Labour Split Erupts After Asylum Seekers On Small Boats Banned From Becoming UK Citizens
Ministers have been accused of making them "forever second class".
A Labour split has erupted after the government announced that anyone entering the UK illegally on small boats will be blocked from ever becoming British citizenships.
The Home Office announced the rule change as part of Labourâs attempts to crack down on immigration.
The new guidance states: âA person who applies for citizenship from 10 February 2025 who has previously arrived without a required valid entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation, having made a dangerous journey will normally be refused citizenship.
Advertisement
âA dangerous journey includes, but is not limited to, travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance. It does not include, for example, arrival as a passenger with a commercial airline.â
But Labour MP Stella Creasy said the move would effectively turn illegal immigrants into âsecond classâ citizens.
In a post on X, she said: âThis should be changed asap. If we give someone refugee status, it canât be right to then refuse them route to become a British citizen. To say they can have a home in our country, but never a place in our society and be forever second class.â
Advertisement
The Walthamstow MP added: âThis is refusing citizenship to someone who has permission to stay indefinitely because of risk of harm. They arenât âawfulâ. They are stateless and if this not reconsidered voiceless.â
But government minister Alex Norris defended the controversial move, telling BBC Radio 5Live: âWe donât want people making the dangerous journey of entering into the Channel [or] being under lorries. These are really dangerous things for people to do as well as being an illegal way to enter the country.â
Advertisement
Asked if it was a âkneejerkâ reaction to Reform UK doing well in the opinion polls, Norris said: âWe donât set policies as a result of political considerations.
âI donât think you need any more compelling reason to act in this area than the fact that people enter the Channel dangerously and in some cases, including children, lose their lives.
âIt behoves any government of the day to act strongly to deter it.â
|
Submit a tip