Illegal Migration Bill passes House of Commons

The controversial Illegal Migration Bill which seeks to limit the rights of asylum seekers who travel to the UK through “illegal routes” has passed the House of Commons

The legislation will now go to the House of Lords for its Second Reading scheduled for 10th May.

The Illegal Migration Bill is next in a line of legislation from this Government that intends to limit human rights, remove responsibilities from local authorities and make it more difficult for asylum seekers to seek refuge and settle in the UK.

The Bill include a series of proposals that will affect unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), including:

  • Detention of children for an indefinite amount of time while the Home Office carries out an age assessment
  • The possibility of border officials being permitted to carry out visual age assessments  
  • Compulsory use of x-rays and MRIs, and the assumption that the young person is over 18 if they do not consent
  • Giving the Home Secretary powers to deport under 18s
  • Giving the Home Secretary powers to accommodate under 18s and to terminate “looked after” status
  • Preventing a right of appeal – judicial reviews are possible but they cannot stop deportation

The Bill creates a two-tier system in which unnaccompanied asylum seeking children who arrived after the Bill had been introduced will face these new procedures in which they will be deported either after they turn 18, or before they turn 18 at the whim of the Home Secretary.

As the Bill moves to the House of Lords, where the UK Government does not have the same in-built majority to pass legislation, the details will be scrutinised and amendments made.

BASW UK is working with other organisations to brief Peers on the contents of the Bill and the impact it would have on social work practice if passed in its current form.

If you have any questions about the Illegal Migration Bill, please contact Kerri.Prince@basw.co.uk