Khaberni - Britain intends to implement the most significant reform to its asylum policy in the modern era, making refugee status temporary, and quadrupling the waiting period for permanent settlement to 20 years amid a time when the Labour government faces a "broken" asylum system that has fueled support for right-wing parties.
After a summer of protests in front of hotels housing asylum seekers, a massive anti-immigration demonstration in London, and ongoing criticism from the hard-right "Reform UK" party led by Nigel Farage, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced plans to curb the small boat crossings from France and return refugees to their home countries when it is safe to do so.
Shabana Mahmood told BBC on Sunday: "We have a system that is out of control." She added: "It's unfair and puts huge pressure on communities. It's important that we bring order back to the situation, so we can maintain the public's approval and trust in having an asylum system."
The government's plan, to be fully unveiled on Monday, includes two main components. First, it will end the "automatic path" to obtaining permanent residence status after a refugee has been in Britain for five years. Under these changes, a refugee's status will be reviewed every two and a half years during a 20-year waiting period before they can apply for permanent residence.
The British Home Secretary stated that this measure will overturn the "prevailing assumption for generations" that providing sanctuary for refugees quickly leads to obtaining permanent residence status "and all the rights associated with it."
Shabana Mahmood confirmed: "If your country becomes safe during the interim period... you will be returned to your country." Legal immigrants will also face a 10-year path to obtaining permanent residence, double the current waiting period.
Under the plan's second axis, housing and weekly allowances will be eliminated for those who are eligible to work and can support themselves but choose not to do so. Support will also be withdrawn from those who break the law. Mahmood said: "It is not fair that British citizens and long-term residents in this country have to follow a set of rules and comply, while another group - who also have the right to work - escape punishment for non-compliance."
The new UK policy draws inspiration from Denmark's approach, which is one of the strictest in Europe. But Britain is now poised to move forward: the new twenty-year path will make Britain's route to stability the longest in Europe, followed by Denmark's eight-year process.
Since its overwhelming victory in the 2024 elections, the Labour Party has sought to balance demonstrating competence in tackling illegal immigration without alienating its more progressive voter base that prefers a more compassionate approach.
Both sides are left feeling excluded: right-wing voters support the stricter measures proposed by Nigel Farage, the fanatic leader of the "Reform UK" party, while many on the left are concerned about Labour's tough rhetoric.
However, Shabana Mahmood, a daughter of immigrants from the Pakistani side of Kashmir, said she rejects "the idea that addressing this issue somehow requires engaging in far-right debates."
Mahmood says: "This is an ethical mission for me, as I see illegal immigration tearing our country apart and dividing communities. People see huge pressure in their communities, as well as a flawed system where people can break the rules, abuse the system, and escape punishment."
The British Home Secretary also criticized the previous Conservative government for wasting time and public money on its failed efforts to tackle illegal immigration. The Conservatives passed a controversial bill allowing the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing, but Mahmood said this project cost 700 million pounds ($920 million) and only deported four people - all volunteers.
Indicating the escalating British debate on immigration, other major parties have not harshly criticized Labour's plans. Chris Philp, who was the Home Secretary for the Conservatives, told BBC that his party would support the new measures if they are "reasonable," claiming at the same time that they are not "radical" enough.
Ed Davey, the leader of the more progressive Liberal Democrats, said that Labour is right in announcing asylum measures "to address the chaos."
Denmark Model
The new UK policy is inspired by Denmark and other European countries where refugee status is temporary, support is conditional, and integration is expected.
In a video on the X platform, Shabana Mahmood said she is taking action because asylum applications are increasing in Britain despite a decline in other parts of Europe. She said: "In the past four years, 400,000 people have applied for asylum here. More than 100,000 people are housed and supported at the expense of taxpayers, putting immense pressure on local communities."
The British Home Office has noted that Denmark's policies have reduced asylum applications there to their lowest levels in 40 years, leading to 95% of applicants being rejected. Earlier this year, a high-level British delegation from the Home Office visited Copenhagen to study Denmark's approach to asylum, according to Reuters.
However, its reforms have drawn harsh criticism, with human rights groups saying these measures foster a hostile environment for immigrants, undermine protection, and leave asylum seekers in prolonged uncertainty.
The British Refugee Council criticized the government's announcement of the new policy.
The group wrote on the X platform: "People who have been persecuted and tortured, or witnessed their family members killed in brutal wars, are not 'asylum shoppers'... Refugees do not compare asylum systems before they flee for their lives."
The group added: "We know why people come to the UK: because they have families here, speak English, or have long-standing ties that help them rebuild their lives safely."
