The government plans to restrict visa applications from certain nationalities, such as Pakistan, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka, to prevent potential asylum seekers from overstaying their visas.
The Home Office aims to reduce asylum claims by restricting visas for nationalities likely to overstay. Pakistani nationals were the largest group claiming asylum in the UK last year.
The reality is that some individuals may need asylum due to changing political situations in their home countries and should be given a fair hearing.
On behalf of JRS UK Sophie Cartwright commented:
“People who are forced to flee their homes use whatever means they can. Changes occurring in people’s country of origin may also create a need for asylum once someone is already here.
It is disingenuous to vilify asylum seekers arriving on visas whilst also attacking those arriving informally. The government refuses to open safe routes for people seeking sanctuary and is already punishing refugees forced to use informal routes. Barring people from accessing visas will mean more dangerous journeys and put more lives at risk.”
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