Jenrick Proposes Visa Bans on Nations Refusing Migrant Returns

Robert Jenrick, a contender in the Conservative Party leadership race, has proposed a stringent approach to address illegal migration in the UK. The former immigration minister has outlined a five-point strategy aimed at substantially increasing the number of deportations, targeting a fivefold rise to over 100,000 annually.

Central to Jenrick's plan is the suggestion to impose visa bans on countries that refuse to accept the return of their nationals who are in the UK illegally. This proposal comes as part of a broader effort to reform the UK's immigration system, which has undergone numerous changes since the first Immigration Act was passed in 1905.

Jenrick argues for a "hard ball" approach, suggesting the suspension of various visa routes, including those for skilled workers, students, and tourists, from non-cooperative countries. He specifically mentioned India, noting that while 250,000 visas were granted to Indian nationals in the past year, an estimated 100,000 Indian nationals are believed to be residing illegally in the UK.

The plan also targets other nations. For instance, Vietnam, whose nationals were the third-largest group crossing the English Channel in small boats in the year leading up to June 2024, saw 18,908 visitor visas granted during the same period. However, only 153 Vietnamese nationals living illegally in the UK were returned last year.

Jenrick's proposal extends to linking foreign aid with cooperation on returns. He cited Iraq as an example, which accounted for 14,884 Channel migrant crossings between 2018 and 2023. Despite receiving over £400 million in UK foreign aid over the past decade, only 150 people were returned to Iraq.

"The Government must stop other countries exploiting our generosity by imposing severe visa restrictions and restricting foreign aid to countries that do not take back their nationals here illegally."

The former minister also calls for new legislation to declare countries like Vietnam, Turkey, and Brazil as safe, enabling quicker returns of illegal migrants and foreign criminals. This approach draws parallels with the UK's first deportation flight to Rwanda, scheduled for June 2022 but ultimately cancelled.

In a controversial move, Jenrick reiterated his call for the UK to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The UK has been a signatory to the ECHR since 1951, making this proposal a significant departure from long-standing policy.

The plan also addresses the issue of foreign offenders in the UK. Currently, there are 11,800 foreign offenders subject to deportation action living in Britain, with almost 4,000 having been resident for more than five years since completing their prison sentences. This situation has roots in the UK's immigration detention system, which began in the 1970s.

Jenrick's proposal includes a crackdown on illegal working within the UK's black market. This echoes previous efforts, such as the "hostile environment" policy introduced in 2012 and the creation of new criminal offences for working illegally under the Immigration Act 2016.

As the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham approaches, Jenrick's plan has sparked debate about the future direction of UK immigration policy. With the UK's immigration system having undergone significant changes since the appointment of the first immigration minister in 1964, this proposal represents yet another potential shift in approach to this complex and contentious issue.