London: The UK government is widening its “deport first, appeal later” scheme to cover foreign criminals from 23 countries, up from the current eight. Ministers say the move is an effort to ease prison overcrowding and address public concerns over crime, The Guardian reported.
The expanded list now includes India, Bulgaria, Australia, Canada, Angola, Botswana, Brunei, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda, and Zambia, among others.
The scheme, first introduced under the Conservatives in 2014 and revived in 2023, allows deportation before an appeal is heard, unless the offender can prove they would face harm in their home country. The policy already applies to nationals from countries such as Tanzania, Finland, Estonia, and Belize.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the aim was to stop foreign criminals from “exploiting the immigration system” by staying in the UK for months or years while appeals are ongoing, reported The Guardian.
Former Conservative justice secretary Alex Chalk warned that the changes could undermine justice. Chalk told The Guardian that the move risks making the UK a magnet for offenders, as some deported criminals, including rapists, burglars, and domestic abusers, might avoid serving prison time altogether.
