Two nations have agreed to enhance their efforts in repatriating their citizens who were deported from the UK following a threat of a visa ban by the Home Secretary.
Last month, Shabana Mahmood stated that she might cease issuing visas to foreign nationals from specific countries if those governments did not cooperate on repatriation agreements. At that time, she named three African countries – Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Home Office indicated that the three countries were being penalized for their inadequate and obstructive procedures for returns. Recently, Angola and Namibia agreed to accept the return of migrants after facing potential penalties.
Conversely, the UK has withdrawn fast-track visa processing and suspended preferential visa treatment for diplomats and VIPs from the DRC as a warning due to their lack of action.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized the necessity for countries to adhere to regulations, emphasizing the importance of repatriating their citizens who have no legal basis to stay in the UK.
She expressed gratitude to Angola and Namibia for their cooperation and urged the Democratic Republic of Congo to follow suit. Mahmood emphasized that decisive actions are being taken to safeguard the border and increase the removal of individuals without the right to remain in the country.
The three countries in question constituted a small fraction of the over 800,000 visas issued for various purposes in the year up to June. They also represented only a few of the illegal migrants who entered the UK through irregular means during that period.
Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, highlighted the government’s commitment to removing individuals without legal status, stressing the importance of cooperation from other nations in the repatriation process. She instructed diplomatic missions worldwide to prioritize returns, citing the recent progress achieved through collaboration.
Individuals who enter the UK unlawfully, overstay their visas, or engage in criminal activities should anticipate repatriation, as the government continues to seek the assistance of foreign governments in this endeavor.