politics
U.K. Policy Shift Allows Some Asylum Seekers to Apply for Citizenship
The government revised rules that had blocked citizenship applications from people who entered the country without authorization. The change followed a legal challenge and will be included in new legislation.
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The updated policy states that citizenship will normally be refused only when the illegal entry occurred through a dangerous route and was within the person's control.
The revision followed a judicial review brought by two law firms on behalf of five individuals whose applications had been rejected. The Home Office agreed to the change and covered legal costs for four of the five cases. The new wording allows decision-makers to disregard illegal entry or overstaying when the arrival was outside the person's control, including cases involving trafficking.
The Immigration and Asylum Bill, scheduled for introduction this week, will set out further changes to the asylum process. It includes plans to recruit additional adjudicators for appeals. A Home Office spokesperson said the government is introducing the toughest standards in Europe for settled status and citizenship, including a 30-year wait for those arriving by small boat and a 20-year wait for other asylum claimants.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called for restoration of an absolute ban and said he will seek to amend the legislation.
