Sex offenders to be denied refugee protection in UK under law change

Migrants convicted of sexual offences will be unable to claim asylum in the UK under a change in the law aimed at tightening border security.

Under the Refugee Convention, countries can refuse asylum to some such as war criminals and those who have committed a “particularly serious crime” who present a danger to the community.

Currently in the UK, this is categorised as a criminal handed a prison sentence of one year or more.

But ministers are seeking to update this to include that anyone convicted of a crime which places them on the sex offenders register, regardless of the length of their sentence, will be denied refugee status.

The new measure will be introduced in an amendment to the Government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill currently going through Parliament, the Home Office said.

It is hoped the move will send a clear message that sex offences are treated with the “seriousness they deserve”.

The amendment will also set a 24-week target for first-tier immigration tribunals to decide on appeals of those living in asylum seeker supported accommodation, or who are foreign national offenders, in a bid to cut the asylum backlog.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Sex offenders who pose a risk to the community should not be allowed to benefit from refugee protections in the UK.

“We are strengthening the law to ensure these appalling crimes are taken seriously.

“Nor should asylum seekers be stuck in hotels at the taxpayers’ expense during lengthy legal battles.

“That is why we are changing the law to help clear the backlog, end the use of asylum hotels and save billions of pounds for the taxpayer.”

The action comes as the UK Government has vowed to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said: “That’s exactly why we are taking action to ensure there are robust safeguards across the system, including by clamping down on foreign criminals who commit heinous crimes like sex offences.”

The Home Office also announced that artificial intelligence will be used to support caseworkers processing asylum claims, such as by summarising interview transcripts and accessing country advice.

Using the technology could save caseworkers up to an hour per case, according to the department.

The moves come as the UK Government’s migration Bill plans to introduce a range of measures to crack down on people smuggling across the English Channel, and reform the asylum system.

This includes scrapping the Conservatives’ Rwanda plan, and introducing new criminal offences and handing counter terror-style powers to police and enforcement agencies to tackle the crossings.

The Home Office has also announced plans for the legislation to crack down on people posing as immigration lawyers by giving the Immigration Advice Authority powers to fine those not properly registered up to £15,000.