Illegal immigrant amnesty ruled out

Wednesday, 12 July 2006 12:00 AM

The government has ruled out an amnesty for illegal immigrants in Britain, saying it would instead focus on improving the rate of removal of failed asylum seekers.

Home Office minister Liam Byrne last month caused controversy when he failed to dismiss a possible amnesty, which would grant a legal right to remain for the up to half a million migrants working on the black market.

However, he has now announced that following a review of the immigration and nationality directorate (IND), such an amnesty was no longer an option.

"Having almost completed our review of IND, we can say that we will be ruling out an amnesty and will be instead bringing forward plans over the next two weeks for fair but tough enforcement of the rules," Mr Byrne said.

"We'll not only strengthen our people but the tools they have to do the job."

The Conservatives welcomed the announcement, but shadow home secretary David Davis said it had been the "height of stupidity" to even talk about having an amnesty.

Last week, a survey for right-wing think tank Migrationwatch revealed that more than seven out of ten Britons opposed an amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Earlier this year, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) warned that forcibly removing up to half a million migrants would cost £4.7 billion, whereas allowing them to apply for work permits to seek legal employment would net £1 billion in extra taxes.

And today the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) published its plans for an amnesty, warning ministers to "get real" and come up with practical solutions to deal with migration.

It suggests illegal immigrants who have been in Britain for at least two years should be allowed to stay, saying the current system "makes life difficult for business, workers and for any government".

Today Mr Byrne said he would be "pressing on" with the government's stated aims of reducing the number of claims for asylum and increasing removals, saying: "Asylum applications are down 72 per cent from their peak in 2002.

"More individuals were removed in the first quarter of this year than ever before. That didn't happen by accident. It took a lot of people a lot of hard work. We will be pressing on, not going backwards."

Mr Davis attacked the government's record on asylum, however, saying: "The government is trying to claim credit for something that they do not control themselves.

"The news the public want to hear is if the government has finally got a grip on deporting the 250,000 failed asylum seekers in this country who should not be here."

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Hunter called on minister to stop "casting about in the dark for answers" and instead adopt a "considered immigration policy" with set criteria about who could and could not remain in Britain.

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• domestic policy
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• immigration