Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Refugee Citizenship Rights

01 July 2025 · 11 other contributors · 8,832 words

Opened by Brian Leishman Lab Alloa and Grangemouth

Responding minister: Seema Malhotra

Asylum & Refugees

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Brian Leishman raised concerns about refugee citizenship rights in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Home Office introduced significant amendments to the good character requirement guidance for British citizenship in February 2025, affecting individuals with protection status.
  • The changes were implemented without parliamentary scrutiny and may deny citizenship to those who entered the UK irregularly.
  • Government urged to provide clarity on how discretion will be applied in cases where citizenship is denied due to irregular entry methods.

Key requests to Government

The Government should provide clarity on how discretion will be applied in cases where citizenship is denied based on irregular entry methods. Additionally, treating all cases on a case-by-case basis would result in a fairer and more effective policy.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Brian Leishman Lab Alloa and Grangemouth

On 10 February, the Home Office introduced significant amendments to the good character requirement guidance for British citizenship, affecting thousands of people already in the UK with protection status. The changes were made without parliamentary scrutiny and will likely deny citizenship to individuals who entered irregularly or via dangerous journeys, despite their contributions to society. Specific examples include Sabir Zazai, CEO of the Scottish Refugee Council, and Gulan from Iraq, both feeling disenfranchised due to these new policies.

Other contributors (11)
  • Bambos Charalambous Lab Southgate and Wood Green

    Supported the need for more safe routes allowing people to come legally rather than through irregular means, which was the original intent of such policies.

  • Brian Leishman SNP Alloa and Grangemouth

    Acknowledged by others for introducing the debate; his speech not detailed but suggested a broader discussion on whether citizenship is necessary to participate fully in British society. Thanked the Minister for her comprehensive response, criticised the Conservative shadow Minister's speech as insulting and xenophobic, emphasised Labour's commitment to combating austerity and division.

  • Chris Murray Lab Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

    Murray congratulated Leishman for securing the debate and stated that removing regressive immigration legislation was necessary. He also mentioned Edinburgh's tradition of welcoming refugees. Argued that the distinction between citizenship and settlement is minimal in Britain, as many rights are contingent on settled status rather than citizenship.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    He supported the hon. Member for Alloa and Grangemouth, noting the impact of recent policies on refugees' pathway to citizenship and questioned whether 71,000 refugees would have the opportunity to get British citizenship.

  • Matt Vickers Con Stockton West

    Argued that Britain's resources are limited and granting citizenship to illegal immigrants would incentivise more small boat crossings, citing a 38% increase in arrivals since the election.

  • Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire

    Agreed with the hon. Member's points, emphasizing that the situation is worse due to a lack of safe and legal routes for migrants to enter the UK.

  • Seamus Logan SNP Aberdeenshire North and Moray East

    Noted the absence of members from opposition parties in attendance and highlighted concerns about Scotland's unique needs regarding immigration policy.

  • Tim Farron LD Westmorland and Lonsdale

    Committed to repealing the legislative ban on people applying for citizenship if they arrived irregularly, but criticised the new guidance that denies citizenship regardless of time elapsed since entry. Highlighted the case of an Afghan interpreter who would be left outside due to this policy.

  • Tulip Siddiq Lab Hampstead and Highgate

    Siddiq discussed the history of her constituency in supporting refugees and highlighted a personal story of Camron Aref-Adib who, along with his family, made significant contributions to the NHS.

  • Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West

    As a member of the Citizenship Network, she discussed barriers to citizenship faced by constituents in Wolverhampton and advocated for an immigration system that balances security with justice.

  • Will Forster LD Woking

    Critiqued the Government's move to bar refugees who entered irregularly from obtaining citizenship, arguing it condemns them to second-class status and undermines international law.

Government Response

Seema Malhotra

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department

Responded that the Conservative Government lost control of immigration and borders, leading to criminal gangs embedding across borders. Highlighted a 23% increase in enforced returns compared to the same period last year. Discussed resettlement schemes, community sponsorship models, new safe and legal routes for refugees, strengthened good character guidance to prevent illegal entries, international obligations on refugee convention compliance, and the need for an international solution to irregular migration.

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