Asylum Policy Refugee Convention 2025-03-31
2025-03-31
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The hon. Member is concerned about recent changes to guidance on 'good character' assessment for immigration, updated on February 10, 2025. He cites a blanket ban imposed by the government that prevents individuals who entered the UK irregularly from securing British citizenship.
Whether she has received legal advice on the compatibility of recent changes to her Department’s guidance entitled “Good character: caseworker guidance”, updated on 10 February 2025, with the 1951 refugee convention. One of the most shocking and egregious things this Government have done is impose a blanket ban on British citizenship for all individuals who have entered the UK irregularly, without any parliamentary scrutiny or public consultation, effectively disenfranchising all asylum seekers and refugees, including those who have already been granted asylum and made this country their home for years. The Refugee Council estimates that up to 71,000 refugees could now be blocked from securing naturalisation. There are no safe routes to enter the UK, so nearly all asylum seekers have to arrive irregularly.
We take our international obligations very seriously and we are satisfied that the good character policy is compliant with those obligations. We have strengthened our policy to make it clear that anyone who enters the UK illegally, including small boat arrivals, will normally be refused British citizenship. The good character assessment has been a feature of UK immigration law since 1981 and there has never been any suggestion, either now or in the past, that it is inconsistent with our obligations under the refugee convention or any other treaty. Each citizenship application will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis, and the Secretary of State may choose to apply discretion to grant citizenship on an exceptional basis where there have been particularly exceptional or mitigating circumstances, such as modern slavery.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific legal advice regarding the compatibility of the guidance with the 1951 refugee convention's Article 31. Instead, she reiterated the policy and its general compliance with international obligations without addressing the specific concern raised.
Reiterating General Commitment To International Obligations
Emphasizing Case-By-Case Assessment
Response accuracy