UK government adds 15 more countries to fast-track deportation list

[Daramola Deborah]

The United Kingdom Home Office has broadened its controversial ‘Deport Now, Appeal Later’ policy, adding 15 countries to its fast-track deportation scheme for convicted foreign offenders, effective August 2025. The expansion, which includes nations such as India, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, and Angola, increases the total number of covered countries to 23, nearly tripling the original eight established in 2014 under then-Home Secretary Theresa May. Announced on August 12, 2025, by Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, this move aims to curb immigration system abuse but has reignited debates over fairness and human rights.

Strengthening Immigration Enforcement
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the expansion as a critical step to prevent foreign criminals from “exploiting our immigration system” and to expedite their removal from the UK. The policy, rooted in Section 94B of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, allows convicted foreign nationals to be deported immediately after sentencing, with appeals conducted remotely from their home countries via video technology. “Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system,” Cooper stated. “We are restoring control and sending a clear message.”

Foreign Secretary David Lammy added, “If they want to appeal, they can do so safely from their home country.” The Home Office reported deporting 5,200 foreign offenders since July 2024, a 14% increase from the previous year, signaling a robust enforcement push. The department plans to expand the list further, depending on bilateral agreements and diplomatic cooperation, per GOV.UK.

Countries Covered by the Scheme
The updated policy, effective August 2025, now includes the following 23 countries:

New Additions: Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda, Zambia

Original Countries: Albania, Belize, Estonia, Finland, Kosovo, Mauritius, Nigeria, Tanzania

This expansion significantly widens the scheme’s scope, targeting citizens of these nations who receive custodial sentences in the UK. Deportations can occur after serving as little as 30% of a sentence, down from 50%, to alleviate prison overcrowding and reduce reoffending risks, per VisaVerge.com.

Policy Details and Objectives
The ‘Deport Now, Appeal Later’ scheme, initially launched as part of the 2014 “hostile environment” policy, was paused in 2017 following a UK Supreme Court ruling on fair trial concerns but was reinstated in 2023 with enhanced remote appeal infrastructure. The policy aims to:

Ease Prison Overcrowding: With 10,700 foreign nationals in UK prisons (12% of the total), costing £54,000 per inmate annually, swift deportations reduce strain on facilities.

Enhance Public Safety: Immediate removals minimize the risk of reoffending, with the Home Office citing a 14% deportation increase as evidence of success.

Streamline Legal Processes: By requiring appeals from abroad, the policy cuts delays and taxpayer costs associated with prolonged in-country legal challenges.

To support implementation, the Home Office has allocated £5 million to deploy specialist staff across 80 UK jails, expediting case identification and deportation logistics, per BBC.

Controversy and Human Rights Concerns
The policy has faced sharp criticism from human rights advocates, who argue it undermines the right to a fair trial. Deporting individuals before their appeals are heard creates significant barriers, including limited internet access, language challenges, and inadequate legal support in some countries, per The Indian Express.

Amnesty International UK warned that the policy risks “miscarriages of justice,” particularly for deportees from countries with unstable infrastructure, like Angola or Uganda. Critics also note potential family and community disruptions, especially for nations with large UK diaspora populations, such as Nigeria (320 prisoners) and India, per Hindustan Times.

The inclusion of Commonwealth countries like Canada, Australia, and Malaysia has raised eyebrows, with analysts suggesting potential diplomatic tensions, per The Financial Express. However, the government insists that video technology ensures fair appeal access, and deportations can be paused if they violate human rights or national security obligations.

Government’s Stance and Broader Context
The expansion aligns with the Labour Government’s Plan for Change, which includes deporting 35,000 individuals with no legal right to remain since July 2024 and boosting asylum decisions by 116%, per GOV.UK. It complements other initiatives, such as the 2025 Chevening Scholarships and increased fashion visa approvals for Nigerians, reflecting a dual focus on talent attraction and strict enforcement, per Vanguard. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood proposed further reforms to allow deportations immediately post-sentencing, pending parliamentary approval, to enhance efficiency.

Public sentiment on X is divided, with users like @UKCitizen2025 praising the policy for “toughening up on crime,” while @JusticeForAllUK called it “a step too far, risking unfair trials.” These views are inconclusive but highlight the policy’s polarizing nature.

[Shola joshua]

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