Refugees Face Two Decades Of Reviews Before Permanent Stay

Refugees in the UK will face a 20‑year wait before they can settle permanently, under tough asylum reforms to be announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood — measures ministers say will deter small boat crossings but critics call cruel and unnecessary.

Under the plan, refugee status will last two‑and‑a‑half years instead of five.

After each period, cases will be reviewed to decide whether individuals can remain or should return if their home countries are deemed safe.

The route to indefinite leave to remain will be extended from five years to 20, marking one of the most dramatic changes in Britain’s asylum system in decades.

Explaining the changes, Mahmood said the overhaul is essential to stop irregular migration.

She warned that illegal migration is “tearing our country apart” and insisted that if the issue is not resolved, Britain risks becoming more divided.

Ministers argue the reforms will reset the asylum framework and discourage people from viewing the UK as a “golden ticket” to residency.

The approach mirrors Denmark’s asylum model, where refugees are granted temporary permits and must re‑apply as conditions change.

Officials believe frequent reviews will tie protection more closely to developments abroad, ensuring asylum is granted only while danger persists.

The reforms are expected to spark debate within Labour ranks.

Mahmood maintains the current system is excessively generous, but some MPs are uneasy about the scale of the changes.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Max Wilkinson said it was right for the government to look at new ways to fix what he called the disorderly asylum system created by the Conservatives, but warned Labour should not kid itself that these measures are an alternative to processing claims quickly so those with no right to be in the country can be removed.

Refugee Council chief executive Enver Solomon described the plans as harsh and unnecessary, warning they will not deter people who have been persecuted, tortured or seen family members killed in brutal wars.

Human rights groups are expected to challenge the proposals, arguing they undermine Britain’s tradition of offering protection to those fleeing conflict and persecution.

The reforms are due to be unveiled Monday, setting the stage for a fierce national debate over Britain’s future asylum policy.

BBC