The Home Office aims to tackle sexual crime among asylum seekers, pledging to speed up appeals and save taxpayer money

The UK government has introduced new legislation that will strip asylum seekers convicted of sexual offences of their right to remain in the country. This measure, announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, extends the existing laws that already prevent terrorists and war criminals from claiming asylum, ensuring that sex offenders, regardless of sentence length, will be denied refugee protection.

The change will be implemented through an amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament. This move comes after high-profile cases, such as that of Abdul Ezedi, a convicted sex offender who was granted asylum despite his criminal background. In 2020, Ezedi, previously convicted of sexual assault and exposure, killed himself after allegedly attacking his ex-girlfriend and her children. This case highlighted gaps in the asylum system and prompted calls for reform.

Cooper emphasised that the new measures would ensure that serious crimes, especially sexual offences, are treated with the gravity they deserve. “Sex offenders who pose a risk to the community should not benefit from refugee protections,” she stated. The legislation also introduces a 24-week target for appeals on foreign offenders’ asylum claims, aiming to expedite decisions and address the asylum backlog.

The reforms also include provisions to improve efficiency in handling asylum claims, with the Home Office planning to use artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up processes by summarising interviews and accessing country advice, which could save an hour per case. Furthermore, the government is introducing new powers to fine those involved in fraudulent asylum claims and restrict the movements of foreign offenders living in the UK.

However, the new law has faced criticism. Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, expressed concern over the use of AI in decision-making, warning it could lead to flawed judgments. The Law Society of England and Wales also questioned the feasibility of the 24-week appeal target, given the already strained justice system.

Despite these concerns, the government remains focused on tackling what it sees as the abuse of the asylum system. The Home Office is also working to address the issue of asylum seekers living in hotels at the taxpayer’s expense during lengthy legal battles. Cooper’s reforms are designed to end the use of such accommodations and reduce public spending, while ensuring that offenders who pose a threat are swiftly removed.

Conservative opposition leaders, including Chris Philp, criticised the legislation as insufficient, arguing it did not go far enough to address the influx of foreign criminals. They pointed to the rising number of people crossing the Channel and accused Labour of failing to support tougher measures to control the border. In contrast, Labour defended the reforms, emphasising their focus on both victim protection and expediting asylum decisions.

The ongoing debate highlights the growing tension over the UK’s approach to border control and the balance between human rights protections and public safety.

THE GUARDIAN

Foreign nationals convicted of sex offences will be banned from claiming asylum in the UK under a new amendment to the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, announced by Yvette Cooper. The measure, introduced as part of Labour’s strategy to counter Reform UK, will exclude anyone on the sex offender register from refugee protections, including those convicted abroad. Human rights organisations, like Amnesty International, have criticised the rushed changes, warning they could lead to injustice. The amendment also aims to expedite asylum appeals, using AI to speed up case processing. Critics argue that such swift changes could compromise fairness and integration. The new rules come amidst heightened concerns over immigration and the political threat from Reform UK, which is expected to perform well in the upcoming local elections. Labour faces pressure from both the right-wing and Reform, with MPS wary of shifting too far right on migration.

SKY NEWS

The UK government has introduced a plan to deny asylum to foreign nationals convicted of sex offences, whether in the UK or abroad. This amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill aims to prevent sex offenders from benefiting from refugee protections. Anyone placed on the Sex Offenders Register will be barred from claiming asylum, regardless of their sentence length. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the law would ensure that offenders who pose a risk to the community cannot benefit from asylum.

The change is part of the government’s efforts to address concerns over border security and improve safety for women and girls. However, critics have raised concerns about the rushed nature of the legislation and its potential to undermine fairness. The government has also announced plans to speed up asylum appeal processes to tackle the backlog. The effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain, as no data has been provided on the number of offenders affected.

REUTERS

The UK government has announced plans to exclude foreign sex offenders from asylum protections under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. The amendment will deny refugee status to any foreign national convicted of a crime that places them on the sex offenders register. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasised that sex offenders who pose a risk to public safety should not benefit from asylum protections.

This move is part of the government’s broader efforts to tackle illegal migration and reduce the costs of housing asylum seekers. In addition, new targets will be introduced to expedite asylum decision-making, with artificial intelligence being used to assist caseworkers in summarising interviews and improving access to country-specific information. By the end of 2024, the UK had 90,686 asylum cases pending. The government aims to continue increasing the removal rate, having already removed 16,400 people in 2024.