India UK deportation policy: The United Kingdom has put India on its broadened “Deport Now, Appeal Later” list, that now includes 23 nations, in a major policy change. The move, aimed at expediting the removal of foreign criminals, will see eligible offenders deported immediately after sentencing, with appeals to be handled remotely from their home countries via video link. The move, announced Sunday by the UK Home Office, increases the list from eight to 23 nations in what authorities characterize as a crackdown on increasing migration and the backlog of deporting convicted offenders.
What The Policy Means For Indians In UK?
As per official statistics quoted by The Hindu, approximately 320 Indian nationals already incarcerated in Britain may be eligible for the scheme. According to the policy, any foreign national given a sentence of 12 months or more imprisonment will be deported prior to having their appeal heard, except where deportation would cause serious harm or violate human rights. Earlier, people like them were permitted to stay in the UK pending the outcome of their appeals, a process that usually took months or years.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said,“For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on. That has to end. Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system.”
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India Among 15 New Additions
The UK’s ‘Deport Now, Appeal Later’ list was previously included Finland, Albania, Belize, Nigeria, Estonia, Mauritius, Tanzania, and Kosovo. The 15 new members on the list are, India, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda, and Zambia. The UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that discussions were underway with other countries to implement similar arrangements. “Diplomatic work is being done to extend the number of nations foreign offenders can be returned to speedily, and if they wish to appeal, they may do so securely in their home country,” Lammy said.
The policy, launched under Section 94B of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 and extended through the Immigration Act 2014, focuses on foreign nationals convicted of crime. While deportation will be immediate after sentencing, offenders can still appeal, but only from abroad. Terrorists, murderers, and those serving life sentences will remain in UK prisons until the completion of their sentence.
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Impact On Overseas Indian Community In UK
UK is home to a considerable number of Indians:
•Non-Resident Indians (NRIs): 351,000
•Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs): 1,413,000
•Total Overseas Indians in UK: 1,764,000
From UK government statistics, 1,903 individuals were removed to India during the first quarter of 2025, against 6,069 in 2024. They were overstayers, refused asylum seekers, and convicted offenders.UK Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood echoed the message, “Anyone defying British laws will be removed. Our aim is to maintain public safety and regain confidence in the justice system.”