UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer has announced that his administration will now immediately deport some foreign nationals. This comes after the country has expanded its “deport now, appeal later” scheme to 23 countries, including India. This, the government said, would help it in “securing borders” through systematic immigration reform.
“For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on,” wrote the Prime Minister on X (formerly Twitter).
He added, “That ends now. If foreign nationals break the law, they will be deported at the earliest opportunity.”
For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 11, 2025
That ends now. If foreign nationals break the law, they will be deported at the earliest opportunity.
Foreign criminals to be deported
As per a press release by the government of the United Kingdom, the “criminal immigrants” from the 23 listed countries will now be deported to their home countries first before they can appeal against that decision. This, the government said, would increase the country’s ability to remove foreign criminals immediately and ease the burden on detention centres and prisons. It will also save taxpayer money.
The government added that individuals could take part in their appeal remotely via video call.
Previously, immigrants were deported to Finland, Nigeria, Estonia, Albania, Belize, Mauritius, Tanzania, and Kosovo for remote hearings. The additional countries that have now been added include Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda, and Zambia, with more countries to be added soon, The Guardian reported.
5,200 removed since July 2024
The government said that since July 2024, around 5,200 such deportations have taken place, marking a 14 per cent rise from the previous year.
“This represents the government’s latest tool in its comprehensive approach to scaling up our ability to remove foreign criminals. This has seen almost 5,200 removed since July 2024 – an increase of 14% compared to the same 12 months prior and builds on wider action to deliver on the British public’s priorities for safer streets and secure borders through our Plan for Change,” the notification from the UK government read.
It further stated, “The approach includes returning 35,000 people with no right to remain since July 2024, surging illegal working raids and arrests by 50%, and increasing asylum decision-making by more than 116%.”
The government has also invested £5 million (around Rs 58.96 cr) to deploy specialist staff to almost 80 jails to speed up removals.
‘Foreign criminals have been exploiting immigration system’
“For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on. That has to end,” said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
She added, “Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced.”
“We are leading diplomatic efforts to increase the number of countries where foreign criminals can be swiftly returned, and if they want to appeal, they can do so safely from their home country,” said Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, before adding, “Under this scheme, we’re investing in international partnerships that uphold our security and make our streets safer.”
The government has tightened rules on how Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, the “right to a family life”, can be invoked when challenging deportation orders or rejected asylum claims. This change, outlined in the Immigration White Paper in May, aims to prevent misuse of the UK’s immigration laws.