Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood threatens Trump-style visa ban on three countries as part of radical asylum reforms

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood Threatens Trump-Style Visa Bans as Part of Radical Asylum Reforms
Monday 17 November 2025, UK

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to unveil what she calls “the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times,” warning that three African nations could face strict visa sanctions if they refuse to accept the return of their citizens who are in the UK illegally.

Under the proposed measures, Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo risk being barred from sending tourists, VIPs, and business travellers to the UK unless they improve cooperation with deportations.

“In Britain, we play by the rules,” Mahmood said. “Foreign governments must accept the return of their citizens or lose the privilege of entering our country.”

According to The Times, the move is inspired by a policy introduced in the United States under President Trump and his homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem.

Key Elements of the Reform Package

Mahmood will outline a legislative overhaul modelled on the Danish migration system, with the aim of deterring illegal immigration and speeding up deportations. Key measures include:

• Temporary refugee status, subject to regular review, with removal once home countries are deemed safe.

• A 20-year wait before refugees can apply for permanent settlement.

• Strict limits on asylum appeals, ending repeated legal challenges.

• Revised application of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, allowing only those with immediate family (parent or child) in the UK to claim a right to family life in deportation cases.

• Use of facial-age estimation AI to quickly identify adults posing as children.

• Capped work and study routes for refugees.

• New safe and legal pathways for people genuinely fleeing war and persecution.

• Creation of an independent Danish-style authority to accelerate removals of dangerous offenders and handle last-minute appeals.

Mahmood, who has been in office for just 73 days, has insisted her approach is not racist, describing it instead as a “moral mission” to restore public confidence in the asylum system.

She warned that illegal migration is “creating division across the country,” adding that inaction risks further polarising communities.

Political Reaction

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer backed the reforms, saying that Britain must remain a “fair and compassionate country,” but also one with secure borders and enforced rules.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the measures “weak” but welcomed the government for “finally talking seriously” about illegal immigration. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Mahmood “sounds like a Reform supporter” but predicted legal challenges would stop the reforms.

Humanitarian organisations have criticised the plans. The Refugee Council estimates the reforms could cost the government £872 million over 10 years, mainly due to the need for continuous review of temporary refugee status. Chief executive Enver Solomon warned the proposals would “unfairly prevent people from integrating” without deterring dangerous Channel crossings.

Background

As of the latest Home Office data, 39,075 people have arrived in the UK via small boats this year—exceeding totals for both 2023 and 2024, though still below the record 45,774 recorded in 2022.