Leaked Documents Reveal Surge in Asylum Claims by Visa Holders in the UK

Recently surfaced documents obtained by the Mail shed light on a concerning trend: tens of thousands of foreign nationals entering Britain on visas are exploiting a hidden avenue to pursue asylum claims for permanent residency.

The documents disclose that international students, workers, and visitors are utilizing what is being termed as the 'back door to Britain' to prolong their stay indefinitely. While visas typically grant permission to stay in the UK for a limited duration, individuals are resorting to claiming asylum, knowing that the Home Office faces substantial challenges in deporting them, partly due to human rights laws.

Official records, previously undisclosed and spanning the year up to March 2023, reveal a staggering 154 per cent annual increase, with a record 21,525 asylum claims made by visa holders. This translates to approximately one in every 140 visa entrants subsequently filing for asylum. Over the past decade, more than 102,000 individuals have applied to remain in the UK after initially being granted temporary entry.

The majority of these claims originate from nationals of Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, and Afghanistan, as evidenced by the statistics. These asylum claims, logged in a Home Office database known as VAST (Visa-Asylum Switching Tables), highlight the magnitude of the issue.

Former Tory minister Neil O'Brien expressed profound concern, labeling the figures as "mind-blowing" and "enormous." He emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the asylum system, underscoring the necessity of reevaluating Britain's relationship with the European Convention on Human Rights, which often enables such claims based on Article 8 regarding 'family life.'

Robert Jenrick, who resigned from Rishi Sunak's government last year advocating for stricter immigration measures, echoed similar sentiments, advocating for a cap on net migration to curtail opportunities for abuse.

Leaked Documents Reveal Foreign Students Leading Asylum Applications, Calls for Immigration Measures

Leaked Documents Expose Trends in Asylum Applications

The recently leaked documents have shed light on the demographics of asylum applications, indicating that foreign students constitute the largest cohort of visa holders submitting such requests. Robert Jenrick, who stepped down from Rishi Sunak's Government last year advocating for stricter immigration policies, has reiterated the need for capping net migration.

Rise in Asylum Applications from Visitors and Seasonal Workers

Furthermore, there has been a notable surge in asylum applications from individuals entering the country on visitor visas, reaching 5,648 in the period up to March 2023, compared to 2,219 in the preceding 12 months. Additionally, 2,240 applications were filed by seasonal workers.

Preparations Underway for Detentions and Asylum Scheme Operationalization

Preparations for the commencement of detentions and the operational stages of the asylum scheme are set to kick off imminently following the recent enactment of new legislation. These measures entail the detention of asylum seekers currently residing freely in the UK, with plans for their transfer to immigration removal centers preceding the inaugural flight to Rwanda.

The Home Office has refrained from confirming or denying reports regarding the timing of detention initiation, stating that preparations are underway in alignment with the Safety of Rwanda Act and the ratified treaty with Rwanda. A spokesperson emphasized the government's commitment to implementing this pivotal policy aimed at curbing illegal migration and halting irregular sea crossings.

Escalating Channel Crossings Prompt Concerns

In a related development, the Home Office disclosed that there were 359 arrivals by small boats across the Channel on Saturday alone. This brings the total number of arrivals since the beginning of the year to 7,167, surpassing the 7,000 mark before the end of April for the first time since the onset of the crisis five years ago. Notably, in 2022, a record annual total was recorded with 6,691 arrivals by the same date.

Record Spike in Asylum Claims by Visa Holders Raises Concerns

New data released by VAST highlights an unprecedented surge in asylum claims among visa holders from seven specific countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Russia.

Of particular concern is the substantial increase in the number of individuals lodging asylum claims within a year of receiving their visas. This swift escalation in asylum applications raises suspicions that some applicants may have harbored intentions of permanent residency in Britain from the outset.

The figures revealed a staggering 15,977 asylum claims within the covered year, marking a three-fold annual increase and reaching an all-time high.

Among those claiming asylum within a year of obtaining their visas, Bangladeshis constituted the largest group with 3,559 claims, experiencing a five-fold annual surge. They were followed by Pakistanis (1,883), Nepalese (1,140), Indians (791), and Afghans (724).

Notably, the number of foreign students seeking asylum within 12 months of visa issuance nearly tripled, reaching 4,965 claims in the year leading up to March 2023.

With 21,525 asylum claims by visa holders recorded, this marked the highest annual total since 2003, coinciding with the introduction of visa fingerprinting by the Home Office, a measure aimed at identifying individuals even if they provide false identities.

Alp Mehmet from Migration Watch UK commended the Daily Mail for spotlighting this issue, emphasizing the weakness of the asylum system and its susceptibility to exploitation.

In response to these concerns, a government spokesperson reiterated a commitment to combat visa system abuse, citing measures outlined in the Illegal Migration Act. While acknowledging the significant contributions of international students, the spokesperson emphasized a crackdown on visa route exploitation through comprehensive monitoring and enforcement actions.