Illegal Migrants on Small Boats Now Banned from Citizenship in Uk For This Shocking Reasons

New Home Office rules say people who arrive in the UK by “dangerous” routes, like small boats or hidden in lorries, will usually be denied citizenship. This has caused anger among human rights groups.

The government announced that from today, people who entered the UK illegally will normally not be allowed to become citizens, no matter how long they’ve lived here. The new rules took effect on Tuesday. Applications submitted before this date will still be reviewed to see if the illegal entry should be overlooked.

Human rights groups have called this move “a dark moment in British history.” Kolbassia Haoussou, from the charity Freedom from Torture, said: “This is a huge step backwards. Everyone deserves the chance to settle and fully join society. I’m a survivor of torture, a British citizen, and even received an MBE from the late Queen. Many refugees want to contribute to Britain, but blocking their path to citizenship stops them from fully integrating and thriving.”

Haoussou, who fled persecution in Chad, added: “This decision is deeply disappointing and damaging to the moral and cultural values of this country. We urge the government to rethink this.”

Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, said: “This change makes no sense. The British public wants refugees to integrate and contribute to their communities. Refugees want to feel part of the country that has given them safety. Many have become proud British citizens, working as doctors, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Becoming a citizen helps them give back, and this should be celebrated, not stopped. We ask ministers to reconsider.”

How citizenship works:
To apply for British citizenship, a person must have lived in the UK for five years and have had the right to stay for at least one year. This includes people with indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or indefinite leave to enter the UK.

The new “good character” rules state: “Anyone applying for citizenship from February 10, 2025, who arrived illegally—such as by small boat or hidden in a vehicle—will normally be refused. This does not apply to people who arrived legally, like on a commercial flight.”

Nick Beales, from the Refugee & Migrant Forum of Essex and London, said: “This decision is shameful and only meant to look tough on immigration. These people will still live in the UK indefinitely but will never be allowed to become citizens. This harms social cohesion and shows that Keir Starmer’s government is willing to follow racist policies like the Conservatives.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “There are already rules that can stop people who arrive illegally from gaining citizenship. This guidance makes it clear that anyone entering the UK illegally, including small boat arrivals, risks having their citizenship application refused.”