UK wants immediate deportation of foreigners

The British government has put forward a proposed legislative change to allow for the immediate deportation and ban on returning to the UK of foreign nationals sentenced to prison terms for crimes in England and Wales.

According to a statement from the British Ministry of Justice, the measures would affect "all foreign criminals already in police custody, as well as those recently sentenced," with the aim of saving costs and relieving pressure on the country's overcrowded prison system. The announcement follows a recent change to the law, scheduled to come into effect in September, which means that inmates can be deported after serving 30% of their prison sentence, instead of the current 50%.

Keir Starmer's Labour government now needs the British Parliament to give the green light to its new proposal to further reduce this percentage to 0%.

However, according to The Guardian, terrorism, murder and more serious crimes that have led to indefinite imprisonment will continue to serve their prison sentence before being admitted for deportation.

According to data provided by the British government, foreigners represent around 12% of the total prison population, and prison places cost an average of 54,000 pounds (almost 62,350 euros) per year.

British Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood also indicated that the British government is taking "drastic measures" to deport foreign criminals, with almost 5,200 people having been removed since the Labour Party took power in July 2024, a 14% increase compared to the previous year.

"Our message is clear: if you abuse our hospitality and break our laws, we will expel you," Shabana Mahmood said in the statement. "If you come to this country and commit a crime, you will not be able to stay here. You will face deportation as soon as possible," Keir Starmer wrote on his social media account, X.

If you come to this country and commit a crime, you don't get to stay here.

You will face deportation at the earliest opportunity.

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 10, 2025