The UK government has revised its immigration procedures to bar individuals who entered the country illegally from becoming citizens. This move likely contravenes international refugee conventions to which the UK is a signatory.
Rather than introducing legislation through Parliament, the government incorporated the change into guidance for immigration caseworkers. Adjusting guidelines is often quicker and easier than passing laws, as it falls within the discretion of the ruling administration.
In 2024, a similar revision to modern slavery and trafficking guidance required victims to provide more evidence upfront, effectively denying many access to protection. This latest “clarification” on citizenship eligibility seems intended to replace the legal ban from the now-repealed Illegal Migration Act.
The change was first reported by the immigration policy website Free Movement. According to Sonia Lenegan, the guidance now treats unauthorized entry into the UK—a common occurrence for asylum seekers and irregular migrants—as a negative factor when assessing an applicant’s “good character.” The new rule applies to all applications submitted on or after February 10, 2025, regardless of when the unauthorized entry occurred.
Since coming to power in July 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government has implemented stricter immigration measures, including enhanced border patrols in the English Channel, aiming to deter asylum seekers and irregular migrants. Starmer has also praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s hardline stance against illegal migration.
However, despite Labour’s historic 2024 election win, the party has been losing support to the anti-migration Reform Party, which has pushed for even tougher policies to stem voter attrition.
This latest shift in immigration policy, like others in recent years, appears to directly conflict with the UK’s international obligations to uphold humanitarian and human rights standards.
