Refugees in small boats to be denied UK citizenship

MP says rule change would have affected Paddington Bear

- MILLIE COOKE HOLLY BANCROFT

The Home Office has toughened up guidance to make it nearly impossible for refugees to become British citizens if they travel to the UK by small boat.

The move has sparked an outcry from Labour MPs and refugee charities, which have urged the government to reconsider.

On Monday, the department updated guidance for staff assessing refugees so it now says applicants who have "made a dangerous journey will normally be refused citizenship”. Under the previous guidance, refugees who arrived in the UK by irregular routes would be required to wait 10 years before being considered for citizenship.

The Refugee Council, which estimates the update will prevent more than 70,000 refugees from obtaining British citizenship, said the move “flies in the face of reason”.

The clarification to case worker guidance used for assessing if a claimant is of “good character” reads: “Any person applying for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who previously entered the UK illegally will normally be refused, regardless of the time that has passed since the illegal entry took place.”

Another new entry to the same guidance says: “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.”