London (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has pledged to abolish the UK’s “golden ticket” for asylum seekers as part of bold initiatives to control immigration.
How is illegal migration affecting communities across the UK?How far will Labour go to regain control of borders?
Mahmood emphasises that the UK must address the’ pull factors’ contributing to the problem, and her proposed measures aim to’ restore order and control. ‘
She is expected to propose a series of new measures as part of a significant crackdown, which will include a 20-year waiting period for those arriving in Britain by methods such as small boats or lorries to become eligible for permanent settlement stay, the Independent reported.
The UK is facing one of the highest levels of illegal migration in Europe. She is also expected to announce stricter limits on refugees bringing family members to the UK during her speech on Monday.
The reform package is reportedly inspired by Denmark’s approach, where refugees receive temporary residence permits, usually lasting two years, without assurance of obtaining permanent visas.
How is illegal migration affecting communities across the UK?
According to the Guardian, she also said,
“Illegal migration is tearing our country apart.”
Mahmood further said that she is the “child of migrants” and repudiates that dealing with illegal migration employs far-right talking points.
“This is a moral mission for me because I can see that illegal migration is tearing our country apart,”
she added.
“It is dividing communities, people can see huge pressure in their communities, and they can also see a system that is broken and where people are able to flout the rules, abuse the system and get away with it.
“I am not willing to stand by a pretend there isn’t a problem, when I know there is one, and then suggest that any solution to that cannot work because I believe they can.”
She claims she understands the need to convince people nationwide and in parliament that the government’s reforms are effective in this area.
How far will Labour go to regain control of borders?
Labour, a centre-left party, faces pressure from all sides of the political spectrum regarding immigration. Experts suggest that Britain’s left generally supports a more compassionate approach to immigration and asylum issues, while its right typically pushes for reduced immigration and stricter enforcement.
Mahmood, herself the daughter of Pakistani Kashmiri immigrants, might struggle to gain support for her policy among some more progressive members of her party.
However, the growing influence of the populist Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, has shaped Britain’s political discourse. It criticises the Labour government’s challenges in managing illegal immigration, while public anger and far-right marches have increased in some areas over housing and public funds for refugees.
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