UK to deny citizenship to small boat refugees

The government has toughened up rules making it almost impossible for a refugee who arrives in the UK on a small boat to become a British citizen.

New guidance states that anyone who enters the UK illegally having made a dangerous journey, which could be via boat, but also by means such as hiding in a vehicle, will normally be refused citizenship, regardless of the time that has passed.

In a statement, the Home Office said the strengthened measures made it clear that anyone who entered the UK illegally would face having a British citizenship application refused.

But the change has been condemned by the Refugee Council and some Labour MPs - including Stella Creasy who said the change "meant refugees would forever remain second class citizens".

Changes, first disclosed by the Free Movement blog, were introduced to guidance for visa and immigration staff on Monday.

The changes mean that anyone deemed to have entered the country illegally - including those already here - will not be able to apply for citizenship.

Described as a "clarification" to case worker guidance when assessing if a claimant is of "good character', it says: "Any person applying for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who previously entered the UK illegally will normally be refused, regardless of the time that has passed since the illegal entry took place."

Another new entry to the same guidance says: "A 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.

"A dangerous journey includes, but is not limited to, travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance."

Previously, refugees who had arrived by irregular routes would need to wait 10 years before being considered.

Under UK law, it is now an offence to enter the country without permission. This is despite the UK being signatory to international law treaties, such as the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, which state that asylum seekers and refugees should not be penalised for illegal entry.

The government's new border security bill, which scraps the Conservatives' Rwanda plan and boosts police powers against people smugglers, cleared its first vote in the House of Commons on Monday.

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill sets out Labour's plan to treat people smugglers like terrorists, and creates a new crime of endangering another person during an illegal crossing in the Channel.

The Home Office also published footage of enforcement teams raiding 828 premises, including nail bars, car washes, and restaurants, as part of a UK-wide crackdown on illegal working earlier this week.

Commenting on the new guidance for refugees, Labour MP Creasy said she worked with a young man who after fleeing Syria and gaining a degree is now "contributing to our society, and has now got British citizenship".

"This process would deny that," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Creasy also claimed the change to rules on citizenship for refugees would "deny" Paddington Bear from obtaining a British passport.

The fictional character famously arrived in the UK by stowing away on a boat from his home in Peru.

"Essentially it would deny, well, frankly, Paddington," Creasy said.

"Paddington did the same thing. He came by an irregular route, but we gave him sanctuary but wouldn't give him a passport."

Lord Blunkett, the former Labour home secretary, urged the government to "reflect on the societal and cohesion aspects" of the policy.

He called on ministers to consider "the impact on children and their right to UK citizenship and the statelessness which would arrive for individuals if their birth country refused to renew or retain their nationality".

"Surely this Parliament should have a say in such a big change," he told the House of Lords.

In response, Home Office minister Lord Hanson of Flint said children will be "considered sympathetically under existing legislation to date".

The Home Office confirmed that the new restrictions will "likely not apply" to children, "given illegal entry is normally considered outside a child's control".

However, each citizenship application will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, it added.

The Refugee Council estimates the guidance will prevent at least 71,000 refugees from obtaining British citizenship.

Enver Solomon, CEO of the charity, said the government's move "flies in the face of reason".

"The British public want refugees who have been given safety in our country to integrate into and contribute to their new communities, so it makes no sense for the government to erect more barriers.

"We know that men women and children who are refugees want to feel part of the country that has given them a home, and support to rebuild their lives.

"We urge ministers to urgently reconsider."

Meanwhile, immigration barrister Colin Yeo argued on social media that it is a "clear breach of the Refugee Convention".

Although the Conservatives have yet to respond to the government's decision, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC last week that she believes the right to citizenship and permanent residency "should only go to those who have demonstrated a real commitment to the UK".

Badenoch spoke about her proposals to toughen up citizenship rules by making it more difficult for new immigrants to be able to permanently settle in the UK.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "There are already rules that can prevent those arriving illegally from gaining citizenship.

"This guidance further strengthens measures to make it clear that anyone who enters the UK illegally, including small boat arrivals, faces having a British citizenship application refused."