REFUGEES who arrived in Britain by small boats or other unapproved means will be barred from gaining citizenship under new rules sneaked in by Labour.
The changes were “buried” in changes to guidance given to caseworkers who process citizenship applications.
The Home Office has updated the section of the guidance relating to the Government’s assessment of whether the applicant has “good character” – with caseworkers now advised to reject applications if the person arrived in Britain by means including those who crossed the Channel in small boats or the back of lorries.
The new guidance states: “Any person applying for citizenship from February 10, 2025, who previously entered the UK illegally will normally be refused, regardless of the time that has passed since the illegal entry took place.”
The change, which was not announced by the Government, has enraged human rights campaigners.
The Refugee Council estimated it will prevent at least 71,000 refugees from obtaining citizenship, The Times reports, based on the number of people who have entered the country on small boats over the last six years.
Andy Sirel, legal director of Just Right Scotland, described the change as “a massive blow to refugee rights in the UK”.
In a post on LinkedIn, he said the changes were “pointless and cruel”, adding: “It will not prevent people making dangerous journeys.”
Aberdeenshire SNP councillor Fatima Joji added: “Labour tried to bury this, but did they really think it would go unnoticed?”
The move has also been criticised by Labour’s own side, with backbencher Stella Creasy posting on social media: “This should be changed asap.
“If we give someone refugee status, it can’t be right to then refuse them route to become a British citizen, to say they can have a home in our country, but never a place in our society and be forever second class.”
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “This change flies in the face of reason. The British public want refugees who have been given safety in our country to integrate into and contribute to their new communities, so it makes no sense for the government to erect more barriers.
“We know that men, women and children who are refugees want to feel part of the country that has given them a home, and support to rebuild their lives.
“So many refugees over many generations have become proud, hard-working British citizens, as doctors, entrepreneurs and other professionals. Becoming a British citizen has helped them give back to their communities and this should be celebrated, not prevented. We urge ministers to urgently reconsider.”
The UK Government has insisted the change merely reinforced the status quo. A Home Office spokesperson said: “There are already rules that can prevent those arriving illegally from gaining 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."
It comes as Labour seek to entrench their crackdown on immigration which they believe will counter the rise of Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
Earlier this week, the Government faced backlash after publishing videos of people who had their asylum claims rejected being deported from the country.
Ministers also announced on Monday they had arrested thousands of people in a blitz of immigration raids.
