Image for representation.
India has been added to the United Kingdom’s “Deport Now, Appeal Later” scheme, which allows foreign criminals to be deported before their appeals are heard. The Home Office on Sunday said the list has expanded from eight to 23 countries in a bid to speed up removals and reduce migration. Those deported will be able to attend UK appeal hearings remotely via video link.
“For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on. That has to end,” said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, adding, “Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system.”
The previous list included Finland, Nigeria, Estonia, Albania, Belize, Mauritius, Tanzania and Kosovo. Along with India, the new countries are Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda and Zambia.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK is working with more countries so criminals can be “swiftly returned” and appeal “safely from their home country”.
The Home Office said about 5,200 foreign nationals have been deported since July 2024, up 14% from the previous year. It has also proposed stripping asylum seekers convicted of serious sex offences of their right to claim refugee status.
Separately, the Ministry of Justice cut the time foreign prisoners must serve before deportation from 50% to 30% of their sentence. Murderers, terrorists and life-term prisoners will be excluded.
“Deportations are up under this government, and with this new law they will happen earlier than ever before,” said Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Foreign nationals make up about 12% of the UK prison population, costing an average £54,000 per inmate annually.
(With PTI inputs)
