Picture courtesy of AP

 

The UK is considering suspending visas for countries failing to agree on migrant return deals, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced. In a high-stakes meeting with Five Eyes allies, including ex-US President Trump’s security chief, discussions focused on cracking down on illegal Channel crossings.

 

Mahmood emphasised securing borders as her top priority, pointing to over 30,000 small boat arrivals this year—a sharp 37% increase from last year.

 

Mahmood stressed the need for countries to cooperate by taking back their citizens who have no right to stay in the UK. She alluded to the possibility of visa suspensions as a deterrent, cautioning that nations that refuse to comply may encounter repercussions. The Home Secretary, however, did not specify which countries might be targeted.

 

Prime Minister's past comments echoed a similar sentiment, exploring a more transactional visa approach with non-cooperative countries. The government looks to leverage collective action from Five Eyes partners to tackle illegal migration more effectively. Mahmood made it a priority to address the rising number of Channel crossings, reported the BBC.

 

Dr Madeleine Sumption of the Migration Observatory mentioned countries like India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, where high visa demand contrasts with low repatriation rates. The impact of visa restrictions would vary depending on each country's reliance on UK visas. Some nations, such as India, have historically lobbied hard for visa access, complicating the scenario further.

 

The opposition swiftly criticised Labour's handling of the issue, demanding tougher measures. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused the government of not taking decisive action, calling for aid cuts to uncooperative countries. The UK grapples with a complex immigration landscape, balancing diplomatic relations with border control enforcement.

 

With no clear resolution in sight, the UK's approach to migrant returns and visa policies remains a contentious topic, intensifying political and international discussions. As the government contemplates its next steps, the focus is firmly on reducing illegal entries and reinforcing border security.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-09-09

 

 

Oh look, Labour are pretending to "get tough" on immigration again.

 

That's cute. 

 

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Oh look, Labour are pretending to "get tough" on immigration again.

 

That's cute. 

 

 

I blame Reform. 

3 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

I blame Reform. 

 

Labour didn't HAVE to copy them.

It’s a good idea and not one that’s difficult to implement.

 

 

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Oh look, Labour are pretending to "get tough" on immigration again.

 

That's cute. 

 

 

Labour now trying to out Farage, Farage.

 

Cant have a placard waving #refugeeswelcome Home Secretary, when you are trying to out Farage, Farage.

 

😀😀😀

 

Amazing how 1 man, has Labour spinning faster than a Superstar DJ's record decks.

 

By next week, they might have worked out that it is all a steaming pile of BS, until they suspend the ECHR and HRA.

 

Or grow a set of swingers and declare a National Emergency under the National Security Act.

34 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s a good idea and not one that’s difficult to implement.

 

 

 

Of course it's a good idea. 

 

They stole it from our Nige. 

 

Of course, it's just lip service. They won't implement it. Starmer hasn't got the minerals.  

11 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Of course it's a good idea. 

 

They stole it from our Nige. 

 

Of course, it's just lip service. They won't implement it. Starmer hasn't got the minerals.  

You have a link to Farage suggesting this before this latest announcement or the earlier Tory proposal that was not enacted?

Starmer copying Farage on not only this, but the love of the England flag as well now.

 

So pathetic.

 

https://www.thenational.scot/news/25432047.keir-starmer-said-hangs-england-flag-number-10-flat/

 

8 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Starmer copying Farage on not only this, but the love of the England flag as well now.

 

So pathetic.

 

https://www.thenational.scot/news/25432047.keir-starmer-said-hangs-england-flag-number-10-flat/

 

You’ve provided no evidence that this policy is copied from Farage.

 

The England flag is not the sole property of rightwing extremists.

11 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The England flag is not the sole property of rightwing extremists.

 

That's strange.

 

Because that's exactly what Labour have been claiming for the last few years. Suddenly they're all over it. Unfortunately for them, people see through this pathetic PR exercise.

 

 

I explained the problem of "send them back", which is favoured on AN by simple minds can't work.

If the recipient doesn't agree you'll have to keep them.

However, the mind games of the govt. to punish a country (France) by cancelling visa is just ridiculous. 

And that only because a few people crossing the channel to live in freedom.

 

8 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

I explained the problem of "send them back", which is favoured on AN by simple minds can't work.

If the recipient doesn't agree you'll have to keep them.

However, the mind games of the govt. to punish a country (France) by cancelling visa is just ridiculous. 

And that only because a few people crossing the channel to live in freedom.

 

 

Just set up detention centres similar to the Thai immigration detention centre.

 

50 to a cell. Toilet in the middle. Sleep on the floor. After a few months they'll be begging to leave. They won't be so keen to come in the first place either.

 

When you offer them a hotel, healthcare, a phone, internet, 3 hot meals a day, 50 quid a week etc. it's no surprise they don't want to leave.

 

Remove the incentive. It's not complicated. 

 

Look what Trump did. 

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Just set up detention centres similar to the Thai immigration detention centre.

 

50 to a cell. Toilet in the middle. Sleep on the floor. After a few months they'll be begging to leave. They won't be so keen to come in the first place either.

 

When you offer them a hotel, healthcare, a phone, internet, 3 hot meals a day, 50 quid a week etc. it's no surprise they don't want to leave.

 

Remove the incentive. It's not complicated. 

 

Look what Trump did. 

Nonsense.

It's against ALL laws. 

Come back to reality.

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

Nonsense.

It's against ALL laws. 

Come back to reality.

 

That's why we need to leave the ECHR.

 

We've had enough of bleeding heart Liberals in European courts telling us what we can and cannot do. 

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

Nonsense.

It's against ALL laws. 

Come back to reality.

 

 

You really can't see how this might play out can you?

 

Reality will be the changes in laws that will happen if Reform were to be in government.

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

Nonsense.

It's against ALL laws. 

Come back to reality.

 

Extreme right racists don't care about laws to enforce wht they think is "right".

Umh, aren't the majority of the countries of origin of these "asylum seeking young men" countries where it is virtually impossible to get a visa to enter the UK anyway?

 

I mean, that is why they are coming here illegally anyway!

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

That's why we need to leave the ECHR.

 

We've had enough of bleeding heart Liberals in European courts telling us what we can and cannot do. 

God sake you are not alone to decide. There is a overwhelming majority with a different view of humanity and existing laws.

 

5 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

You really can't see how this might play out can you?

 

Reality will be the changes in laws that will happen if Reform were to be in government.

I don't think so.

I'm convinced democracy will win and stay with laws and humanity.

If you follow the demagogue Farage you can see the outcome in US.

You want Britain to be a rogue fascist state?

Not me.

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

God sake you are not alone to decide. There is a overwhelming majority with a different view of humanity and existing laws.

 

 

Why would you choose such a "cruel" place as Thailand to live if you feel so strongly about these things?

 

Sounds like empty platitudes to me. 

 

I'm guessing cheap "service" is more important than human rights to you. 

8 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Extreme right racists don't care about laws to enforce wht they think is "right".

If "racists" violate laws they have to face consequences (Police, Court, Prison)

1 minute ago, newbee2022 said:

I don't think so.

I'm convinced democracy will win and stay with laws and humanity.

If you follow the demagogue Farage you can see the outcome in US.

You want Britain to be a rogue fascist state?

Not me.

 

 

I don't think you understand democracy......even though it is happening before your very eyes.

 

Fascist state??  Get real man! 😆

10 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Extreme right racists don't care about laws to enforce wht they think is "right".

 

 

I imagine left wing racists would be treated the same.

2 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I imagine left wing racists would be treated the same.

 

No. 

 

A left wing racist would be promoted within the Labour party. 

3 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I imagine left wing racists would be treated the same.

 

Since when did left wing governments block access for immigrants?

2 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Since when did left wing governments block access for immigrants?

 

Since 2 days ago. Hence this thread.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9rg9jj5kro

 

7 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I don't think you understand democracy......even though it is happening before your very eyes.

 

Fascist state??  Get real man! 😆

A rogue state would be ok with you? And why do you think you have the leadership of opinions?

 

12 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Why would you choose such a "cruel" place as Thailand to live if you feel so strongly about these things?

 

Sounds like empty platitudes to me. 

 

I'm guessing cheap "service" is more important than human rights to you. 

Actually I'm not interested in your "feelings" or "guesses".

 

Troll posts were removed

 

10. You will not post troll messages. Trolling is the act of purposefully antagonizing forum members by posting controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other members into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.