In a historic judgement announced by the United Kingdom government, India has been added to the country’s expanded “Deport Now Appeal Later” list of 23 countries, under which foreign criminals will be deported before they can appeal against the decision.
The UK home office announced on August 10 that the scheme’s scope will nearly triple — from eight countries earlier to now 23 in the revised list. The move is part of a broader crackdown on rising migration and delays in the removal of offenders. Foreign nationals from these countries will be deported once sentenced, with any appeals heard remotely via video technology from overseas.
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, the country’s home secretary Yvette Cooper said, “For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on. That has to end,” reported news agency PTI. She further added, “Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced.”
Countries on the List
Previously, the list included Finland, Nigeria, Estonia, Albania, Belize, Mauritius, Tanzania and Kosovo. The expanded list now adds India, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda and Zambia, taking the tally to 23 currently.
The UK government said discussions are ongoing with other nations to join the scheme. “We are leading diplomatic efforts to increase the number of countries where foreign criminals can be swiftly returned, and if they want to appeal, they can do so safely from their home country,” said UK foreign secretary David Lammy.
According to the home office, the new approach will reduce the burden on British taxpayers, as offenders from these countries previously remained in the United Kingdom long after completing their prison sentences. Around 5,200 foreign nationals have been deported since July 2024 — a 14% increment from the previous year. It has also proposed stripping asylum seekers convicted of serious sex offences of their right to claim refugee status.
Separately, the Ministry of Justice cut the time foreign prisoners must serve before deportation from 50% to 30% of their sentence. Murderers, terrorists and life-term prisoners will be excluded. Deportations are up under this government, and with this new law they will happen earlier than ever before,” said Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Meanwhile, official data shows foreign offenders make up for about 12 per cent of the UK’s prison population, with annual prison costs averaging GBP 54,000 per inmate. (1 GBP is approximately 117 INR), which is significantly high and puts a burden on the tax-paying citizen of the nation.
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