UK Asylum System Faces Major Overhaul, Home Secretary Declares

The UK government is set to implement significant changes to its asylum system, which Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described as “out of control.” In a recent announcement, Mahmood outlined plans that would require refugees, including those from Ukraine, to reapply for their status every 2.5 years. This move aims to address what she termed as the mounting pressure on local communities due to the asylum process.

Under the proposed reforms, those granted asylum could be returned to their home countries once deemed safe. This policy is similar to Denmark’s controversial asylum framework. Currently, asylum seekers receive protection for five years, after which they can apply for indefinite leave to remain, a pathway to British citizenship. The new regulations would also impose a 20-year waiting period for individuals who arrive illegally before they can apply for permanent settlement, though this is expected to affect only new arrivals.

Mahmood defended the government’s approach, rejecting accusations that it adopts far-right rhetoric. She emphasized her personal connection to immigration, as the child of lawful migrants who came to the UK in the late 1960s and early 1970s. “This is a moral mission for me,” she stated, pointing to the increasing divisions within communities caused by illegal migration.

The Home Secretary noted that current asylum rules inadvertently grant asylum seekers more access to protected accommodation than some British citizens. Approximately 10 percent of those in asylum accommodation have the right to work, though compliance with the law has not been a requirement. Mahmood suggested that this would change, advocating for a system that encourages self-sufficiency among asylum seekers. “If they can work, they should work and support themselves,” she said.

Changes to financial support for asylum seekers are also on the horizon. The British government plans to make assistance discretionary, which would allow it to withhold help from individuals who are capable of working or possess assets. Mahmood has characterized these proposals as “the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times,” aimed at restoring control and fairness to the asylum system.

Currently, there are about 100,000 individuals receiving asylum support in the UK, many of whom are accommodated by the state. Roughly a third of these individuals remain in hotels, an arrangement that the Labour Party has pledged to end by 2029. Of the asylum seekers, around 8,500 have the right to work, having initially entered the country on a visa before claiming asylum. Others may be permitted to work in limited fields if their claims remain unresolved after a year through no fault of their own.

In a related development, the Home Office announced plans to utilize artificial intelligence to assess the ages of individuals who arrive illegally. The current age assessment process has been criticized for inaccuracies, leading to concerns that minors might be misclassified as adults. The new facial age-estimation technology aims to improve accuracy and efficiency, although it has raised alarms among migrant rights groups regarding potential misclassification.

As these reforms unfold, the UK government faces the challenge of balancing public sentiment regarding immigration with the realities of humanitarian obligations. With asylum policies in flux, the implications for refugees and the communities that host them remain to be seen.