New visa rules which will make it almost impossible for refugees who arrive in the UK on small boats or in the back of lorries to ever become British citizens have been branded "deeply damaging".
The Home Office's good character guidance was updated this week to state that migrants who have entered Britain illegally will "normally" have a citizenship applications refused.
Visa staff were told that the rule will apply regardless of the amount of time a person has lived in the country.
The guidance makes particular reference to those who make the perilous journey across the Channel, adding: "A person who applies for citizenship from 10 February 2025 who has previously arrived without a required valid entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation, having made a dangerous journey will normally be refused citizenship.
"A dangerous journey includes, but is not limited to, travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance."
But the changes have been slammed by Walthamstow Labour MP Stella Creasy who described them "counterproductive", while a refugee charity branded it a "dark moment" in the country's history.
Ms Creasy said: “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.”
She told BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday: "I think this change is counterproductive to the message that we want to send about being proud of our country and the role that it has played in supporting those fleeing persecution."
The Refugee Council estimates the guidance will prevent at least 71,000 refugees from getting British citizenship.
Previously, people who had arrived in the UK by irregular or illegal routes would need to wait 10 years before being considered.
It comes as Labour's new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which scraps the Conservatives' Rwanda plan, passed its first hurdle in the Commons on Monday.
Kolbassia Haoussou from refugee charity Freedom From Torture also urged for the Government to reconsider saying the decision was “deeply damaging".
"Make no mistake, this is a dark moment in British history,” he said.
“If the Government really follows through with blocking refugees from getting citizenship, the UK will be taking a huge step backwards.
"Everyone deserves the chance to settle and fully integrate into society. I'm a survivor of torture, a British citizen, and I've even received an MBE from the late Queen.
"I know many people who also want to contribute to Britain, but blocking their ability to become citizens prevents refugees from fully integrating and flourishing in their new communities."
Citizenship applications are decided on a case-by-case basis and policies are kept under review.
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."
