The United Kingdom is preparing to take a tougher stance on countries that refuse to accept deportees. New Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said visa restrictions could soon be used as leverage against uncooperative nations.
She made the remarks during a Five Eyes alliance meeting in London, which included officials from the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Mahmood stressed that securing Britain’s borders is her top priority, especially after a sharp rise in illegal migration.
Record Numbers Crossing the Channel
On her first full day in office, more than 1,000 people crossed the English Channel in small boats. Mahmood described this surge as “utterly unacceptable.”
So far in 2025, over 30,000 people have arrived by boat, which marks a 37% increase compared to the previous year. The Home Secretary said stronger measures were needed to stop this growing trend.
A Warning to Uncooperative Countries
Mahmood explained that the UK wants to work closely with allies to deal with countries that block deportations. She suggested a “transactional approach” to visas, meaning future access to the UK could depend on how cooperative a nation is when taking back its citizens.
While she did not name specific countries, her comments raised concern in places with large diaspora communities in the UK. Kenya, which has more than 180,000 nationals living in Britain, is one of them. Many Kenyans are students, professionals, or long-term residents with family ties.
Kenya Already in the Spotlight
Kenya is already affected by the UK’s tougher policies. Under the “Deport First, Appeal Later” rule, foreign nationals convicted of crimes can now be deported immediately after sentencing. Appeals are then handled remotely from their home country.
This places Kenya within the UK’s broader immigration enforcement framework. Although it is not currently facing visa restrictions, any delays in handling return requests could put it at risk in the future.
What Lies Ahead
Mahmood’s warning signals a clear shift in UK immigration policy. By linking visa access to cooperation on deportations, the government hopes to reduce illegal migration and ease pressure on border security.
For countries like Kenya, maintaining strong cooperation with the UK could be key to protecting their citizens’ visa opportunities.
