A contender in the UK’s Conservative Party leadership race, Robert Jenrick, has introduced plans to curb illegal immigration, which could severely impact Indians.
Focus on Illegal Visa Restrictions:
Jenrick’s proposal comes in response to the rising number of illegal immigrants in the UK 100,000 Indians are currently residing in the country illegally.
In 2023, the UK issued approximately 250,000 visas to Indian citizens for various purposes, including work and study. However, deportation efforts have been delayed, and returns remain stuck in the hundreds.
Five-Point Plan for Deportations:
To address this issue, Jenrick outlined a plan aimed at increasing deportations. He aims to exceed 100,000 removals annually, emphasizing that tougher measures are necessary to ensure countries like India cooperate in repatriating their citizens.
Conditional Visa Policies for Indians:
Jenrick believes visa issuance should be conditional on a country’s willingness to accept back its nationals. He stated it’s time to play hardball, indicating a shift toward stricter visa policies for nations that do not comply with repatriation agreements.
In 2021, the UK and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) intended to streamline the return of illegal Indian nationals. However, this agreement has not yielded significant results, as only 22,807 unlawful migrants were removed from the UK in 2023.
Broader Implications:
If Jenrick’s proposals are implemented, they could lead to stricter visa requirements for Indian nationals seeking work or study opportunities in the UK. This could have far-reaching implications for thousands of applicants and may strain UK-India relations further.
In summary: Jenrick’s bold immigration strategy signals a potential shift in how the UK manages its visa policies and addresses illegal immigration.
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