UK Riots: What effects will they have on UK Immigration?
Disturbing images and videos of widespread looting took over last week’s news channels, social media networks and blogs. But what effect has this had on UK immigration?
The riots have clearly had an effect on the global image of the UK as many citizens of international countries perceive the UK as a country unable to control its citizens.
As the streets are being cleared of broken glass and shops restored of stock it is impossible to ignore the implications that the riots have had on people wanting to visit or immigrate to the UK.
As for those illegal immigrants in the UK they now face fear of deportation. Police are on standby in areas of trouble – stopping and asking for identification of those that look suspicious. Under the UK Border Act 2007, a non-British, non-EU national, regardless of immigration status, becomes automatically liable for deportation (subject to appeal) if convicted and sentenced to a prison term of 12 months or longer. If the sentence is less than 12 months, the Home Office retains the discretion to commence deportation proceedings at the end of the sentence.
Government petitions wanting to deport those immigrants caught looting and rioting are being signed in their thousands and others fear losing their homes.
In the wider context, fears grow among immigration practitioners and for immigrants wishing to bring relatives to the UK that the UK government may use the riots as an opportunity to clamp down on immigration.
The past few years have seen criticism coming from members of the public that the UK’s social problems are due to uncontrolled immigration to the UK since Labour came to power. An ‘open door’ immigration policy led to little integration and significant racial tensions. Many argue that immigrants have taken away jobs, social housing and have strained public services. Due to this April 2011 saw a major clampdown on UK immigration, restricting visas and tighter legislations aiming to bring only the brightest and most talented to the UK.
The riots have affected UK Immigration but with the 2012 Olympic Games just around the corner people from all over the world will see what a great country the UK is.
