New Immigration Rules March 2021

What is the ‘New Plan’ for UK immigration?

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, has outlined her New Plan for the immigration procedure in 2021. She will later speak at the G6 summit to present her plan to others in Europe. Here is a breakdown of what the new rules may look as per her statement in Parliament.

Here are the facts from the Home Office:

Since 2015 the UK has resettled almost 25,000 men, women and children – more than any other EU country
More than 29,000 close relatives have been brought to the UK through the refugee family reunion programme
In 2019 32,000 attempts were made to enter the UK illegally
In 2020 8,500 people arrived by small boat
Of this number 87% were men, 74% were aged between 18-39
109,000 claims are waiting in the asylum queue
52,000 are awaiting initial asylum decision have done so for over three quarters of a year
42,000 failed asylum seekers have not left the country despite having their asylum claim refused

Here are the changes that the Home Office want to make:

Ending of free movement
Introduction of points based system
An overhaul to the asylum system
Supporting five million people in Hong Kong to come to the UK

The new immigration plan has three objectives:

First goal: is to increase the fairness of genuine asylum claims by continuing to strengthen support for those arriving through safe and legal routes.

Those who enter the UK through resettlement routes will be granted indefinite leave to remain.

More funding for English classes, finding employment workshops and social/cultural integration programmes will be introduced.

Amending the British Nationality Law so that members of the Windrush Generation will be able to obtain British citizenship more easily.

Second goal: to deter illegal entry into the UK – stopping people smugglers.

Toughening up on people smugglers to deter future trafficking of immigrants.
Taking into account if the asylum seeker has entered the country legally or illegally will be factored into if the claim is successful or not.

If removal is not possible then the claim will be successful. This will not be an automatic right to settle and applicants will be regularly reassessed for removal and will include limited access to benefits and limited family reunion rights.

A tough stance will include new maximum life sentences for people smugglers and traffickers.

New rules to stop migrants posing as children

Third goal: strengthening the enforcement powers for Border Force

Rapidly removing those with no right to be here in the UK.

Establishing a ‘Fast Track Appeals’ process. Streamlining this appeals system and making it easier and quicker for removal decisions of failed asylum seekers and dangerous foreign criminals.

‘Meritless appeals’ will no longer be treated the same as other appeals.

Fourth goal: remove people easily from the UK who have no claim.

Strong powers by the police and the judiciary to remove those waiting for asylum claims.

What does this mean in the future?

Overall, this looks to be a merit based immigration system as per the points based system route. It would mean that gathering evidence to support your asylum claims is going to be more important going forward. There will be stronger powers given t the police and the courts to deal with non-merit asylum seekers and stronger sentences for those whoa re human trafficking. It is always advisable to seek legal advice and we recommend Sanctuary Law who provide free immigration consultations online for those looking for advice.

Fast Track Training will always support foreign nationals as we believe everyone is an individual and each case is different. The Life in the UK and B1 English test are both needed to become a British citizen. If you would like a teacher to help you become British please feel free to contact a teacher through our website

In terms of going forward only time will tell if these rules will be altered at the time of implementation. We will keep you informed of any changes going forward.