Migrants arriving illegally in small boats and in lorries to be refused British citizenship
Migrants arriving illegally in the UK in small boats or stowed away in lorries will be refused British citizenship, new Home Office guidance states.
The “Good Character” guidance for immigration staff has been changed to say people who have arrived in the UK illegally “having made a dangerous journey… will normally be refused citizenship” from 10 February, regardless of when they arrived.
It says a dangerous journey includes “but is not limited to, travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance”.
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The guidance clarifies this does not include arriving as a passenger on a commercial airline.
Previously, refugees who arrived by irregular routes had to wait 10 years before being considered for citizenship.
The Home Office said the change “further strengthens” measures to make it clear anyone entering the UK illegally will be refused British citizenship.
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People arriving in small boats have risen by almost a third since Labour took office, with nearly 25,000 people arriving between 4 July 2024 and 6 February 2025 – 28% higher than the same dates a year before.
It is also the second highest figure since records began in 2018.
Some Labour MPs and the Refugee Council have condemned the latest guidance as they say it will mean refugees can live in the UK but will not be allowed to have a place in society.
Labour MP Stella Creasy said on X the guidance “should be changed asap”.
“If we give someone refugee status, it can’t be right to then refuse them route to become a British citizen,” she wrote.
“To say they can have a home in our country, but never a place in our society and be forever second class.”
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The new guidance says small boats arrivals will not get citizenship
The Refugee Council said the change “flies in the face of reason” and said the British public want refugees in the UK “to integrate and contribute to their new communities, so it makes no sense for the government to erect more barriers”.
“We urge ministers to urgently reconsider,” Enver Solomon, CEO of the NGO said.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “There are already rules that can prevent those arriving illegally from gaining citizenship.
“This policy guidance further strengthens measures to make it clear that anyone who enters the UK illegally, including small boat arrivals, faces having a British citizenship application refused.”
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Labour’s manifesto promised to “smash the gangs”, with the government creating a Border Security Command and introducing new powers for authorities to prevent people smugglers from travelling, stop mobile phone use and shut down bank accounts.
On Monday, the second reading of the government’s Border, Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill was passed with an overwhelming majority.
The bill officially scraps the Conservatives’ plan to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda and provides the legal backing to boost police powers against people smugglers.
The Conservatives have not yet responded to the new guidance but leader Kemi Badenoch last week said she would toughen up citizenship rules to make it more difficult for new immigrants to be able to permanently settle in the UK.
The King has met survivors of last month’s Huntingdon train mass stabbing, during a special reception at Buckingham Palace.
He shook hands with train guard Samir Zitouni, who was seriously injured as he stepped in to protect passengers.
More than 10 people were hurt in the stabbing on the 6.25pm LNER service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross on 1 November, which diverted to Huntingdon.
The King greets the train’s driver, Andrew Johnson. Pic: PA
The monarch also met Andrew Johnson, who previously served in the Royal Navy, and was driving the service at the time of the attack.
He was praised by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for his quick thinking when he moved the train on to a slow line.
That decision allowed it to stop at Huntingdon station, leading to a quicker response time by emergency services and potentially saving lives.
Mr Zitouni was credited with saving multiple lives, but was left in a critical condition due to injuries he suffered in the attack.
Stephen Crean, a football fan who had been returning home after watching Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United, was also injured while fighting back to protect others during the incident.
Mr Crean said he would need plastic surgery following his injuries.
The monarch greets Stephen Crean and his wife Monludee Crean during the reception. Pic: PA
Amira Ostalski, a student who suddenly found herself in danger, said she ran into the buffet car where she picked up a metal tray to protect herself and her friend.
“I was honestly so petrified. I thought in that moment it was the last time I was ever going to be alive. I thought I was going to die,” she said.
Anthony Williams was charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of a bladed article following the train attack.
He remains in custody pending further court hearings scheduled for next year.
A nine-year-old girl found dead in Weston-super-Mare has been named on the day police revealed a teenager had been charged with her murder.
Emergency services were called to Lime Close in the Somerset town at 6.09pm on Monday but Aria Thorpe was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said a 15-year-old boy had been charged with her murder and that a preliminary post-mortem found she died from a single stab wound.
The teenage boy – who can’t be named due to his age – will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court later today.
A police cordon remains in place as forensics officers continue their work.
Flowers and tributes have been left at the scene. Pic: PA
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Superintendent Jen Appleford, from Avon and Somerset Police, said the community was in shock and Aria’s family were being supported by police.
“It is impossible to adequately describe how traumatic the past 36 hours have been for them and we’d like to reiterate in the strongest possible terms their request for privacy,” she said.
Supt Appleford said police were working with local schools and other agencies to make sure support is available.
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