Government Unveils Tougher Border Laws to Exclude Foreign Sex Offenders from Asylum Protections

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The UK government has announced sweeping changes to border security and asylum laws, targeting foreign sex offenders and aiming to cut the asylum backlog under the new Plan for Change. The reforms, to be introduced through an amendment to the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, will exclude any foreign national convicted of an offense qualifying them for the sex offenders register from receiving refugee status.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated the move will help “restore order to a broken asylum system” and protect British communities by denying protection to individuals posing a danger. This builds on existing Refugee Convention rules allowing nations to refuse asylum to those guilty of “particularly serious crimes.”

Other major changes include a new 24-week deadline for immigration tribunals to process appeals from asylum seekers in accommodation or foreign national offenders. Currently, these cases can take nearly 50 weeks. The goal is to reduce the use of costly asylum hotels and accelerate the removals of those without a legal right to remain.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will also be deployed to streamline asylum decisions, helping caseworkers access country guidance and summarize interviews faster, potentially saving an hour per case. The government claims this will lead to quicker decisions for genuine refugees and failed claimants.

Safeguarding Minister Jess Philips emphasized the importance of the law in protecting women and girls, stating it sends “a clear message” about the seriousness of sex crimes.

Additionally, the bill includes powers to fine unregistered immigration advisers up to £15,000 and will, for the first time, extend employment eligibility checks to gig economy employers.

Since the election, over 24,000 people with no legal right to remain have been removed, and asylum decisions have increased by 52% in late 2024. The reforms, the government says, mark a major step towards fixing long-standing asylum system failures and bolstering national safety.