UK refuses citizenship to undocumented migrants, making them ‘forever second class’
The move makes it nearly impossible for undocumented migrants arriving by boat to gain citizenship, has been criticised by some Labour MPs
Under new guidance migrants arriving by sea, or hidden in the back of vehicles, will normally be refused citizenship.
“This guidance further strengthens measures to make it clear that anyone who enters the UK illegally, including small boat arrivals, faces having a British citizenship application refused,” a Home Office spokesperson said.
Some Labour MPs have criticised the changes to the rules.
“If we give someone refugee status, it can’t be right to then refuse them a route to become a British citizen,” wrote lawmaker Stella Creasy on X, adding that the policy would leave them “forever second class”.
Free Movement, an immigration law blog, said the changes had the potential to “block a large number of refugees from naturalising as British citizens, effective immediately”.