Reform UK has announced a tough new immigration plan, promising to deport what it describes as “hundreds of thousands” of migrants who arrived in the UK by small boats, even if they have already been granted asylum.
The proposal would come into effect if the party wins the next general election, and it marks one of the strongest immigration positions put forward in recent years.
Review of Past Asylum Decisions
At the center of Reform UK’s plan is a full review of asylum cases approved over the last five years. Moreover, rhe party’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, said that anyone who entered the UK illegally or overstayed a visa before claiming asylum could have their status removed.
According to reports from “The Financial Times” the party estimates that around 400,000 people could fall under this review. Reform believes that a large portion of these individuals would ultimately face deportation.
Yusuf made the party’s stance clear in a public statement, saying that Reform intends to take firm action against what it sees as widespread abuse of the asylum system.
Rising Channel Crossings
This announcement comes at a time when migration numbers are once again in focus. Recently, 602 people crossed the English Channel in small boats in a single day, making it one of the busiest days this year.
So far in 2026, more than 6,000 migrants have made the journey, highlighting the ongoing challenge facing UK border control and immigration systems.
Broader Immigration Strategy
Reform UK has also outlined additional measures as part of its wider immigration policy. These include:
- Deporting all individuals currently living in the UK illegally
- Leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which the party argues is often used to block deportations
- Increasing deportation capacity to 188,000 people per year
- Operating up to five removal flights daily
The party says these steps are necessary to regain control over the UK’s borders and reduce illegal migration.
Political Reactions
Unsurprisingly, the proposal has drawn strong reactions from across the political spectrum. First of all, the Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the Conservative Party already has a detailed immigration plan, including faster deportations. He claimed that under a Conservative government, illegal migrants would be removed within a week of arriving in the UK.
Philp also suggested that Reform UK’s approach lacks practical detail, despite echoing similar ideas.
On the other hand, Liberal Democrat immigration spokesman Will Forster criticized the plan as unrealistic and unhelpful. He argued that reviewing five years of asylum decisions would overwhelm an already strained system.
Forster pointed out that the current asylum backlog is already high and warned that such a large-scale review could slow down processing even further.
Alternative Solutions Proposed
The Liberal Democrats have proposed a different approach. They suggest setting up special “Nightingale” processing centers to quickly deal with the backlog of asylum cases.
Their goal is to process claims within six months, allowing those who qualify to settle and work, while ensuring those who do not are returned promptly.
Other Plans of the Reform UK
The immigration policies of the Reform UK does not end here. In the second week of April, during a press conference, Zia Yusuf clearly stated that the party wants to abolish indefinite leave to remain completely. He further added, that under this proposed system, migrants would need to reapply every five years to stay in the country. Each time, they would have to meet stricter requirements.
A Divisive Issue Ahead of Elections
Immigration continues to be one of the most debated political issues in the UK. Reform UK’s latest proposal is likely to intensify that debate as parties present competing solutions ahead of the next general election.
While some voters may support stricter border control, others remain concerned about fairness, practicality, and the impact on the asylum system.
Files from: Umer Rasib, The Independent UK