The United Kingdom government has introduced new immigration guidelines preventing individuals who entered the country illegally from obtaining citizenship. This move has been widely criticized for likely violating international refugee conventions, including the UN Refugee Convention, to which the UK is a signatory.
Instead of passing new legislation, the UK government made this change through updated guidance for immigration caseworkers, allowing for a quicker implementation without parliamentary approval.
This follows a similar 2024 policy requiring victims of modern slavery to provide more evidence upfront, making it harder for them to receive protection. The new citizenship rule appears to be a replacement for the Illegal Migration Act, which was repealed.
According to Free Movement, an immigration policy website, the government has now classified unauthorised entry into the UK as a negative factor when assessing an applicant’s “good character”—a key requirement for naturalisation.
This modification applies to all applications submitted on or after February 10, 2025, regardless of when the applicant initially entered the country.
Labour Government’s Tougher Stance on Immigration
Since coming to power in July 2024, Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has implemented stricter immigration policies, including increased border patrols in the English Channel to deter asylum seekers.
Starmer has also praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her tough stance on illegal migration. Labour’s strict policies come as the anti-immigration Reform Party gains electoral support, pressuring the government to take harsher measures to prevent voter loss.
Potential Legal Violations and Humanitarian Concerns
Critics argue that this change directly violates international law, as the UN Refugee Convention forbids punishing asylum seekers based on how they enter a country. Stripping the right to citizenship could be considered a form of punishment.
Experts from the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford warn that this policy could prevent hundreds of thousands of people from becoming UK citizens—regardless of how long they have lived in the country or their good conduct.
Additionally, since UK citizenship applications are expensive and have no right to appeal, this rule may discourage many from applying altogether.
