Immigration has long divided British politics, but Reform UK’s latest proposals mark a decisive move toward a far more confrontational approach. At a press conference in Dover, the party’s home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, unveiled plans for a UK Deportation Command — an enforcement body modelled in part on the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Visa Freeze for Five Countries
Reform UK has also pledged to impose visa freezes on countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Syria if those governments refuse to accept the return of nationals without legal status in Britain.
According to a brief policy document, a government led by Nigel Farage would aim to deport more than 600,000 people during its first parliamentary term. This could include individuals currently holding indefinite leave to remain, which would be retrospectively revoked if they did not qualify under the new visa system.
Such a target would represent one of the largest deportation drives in modern British history. The feasibility — legal, financial and diplomatic — remains a central point of contention.
Ending Indefinite Leave to Remain
Beyond enforcement, Reform UK proposes a structural overhaul of the immigration system. Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) would be scrapped and replaced with renewable five-year work visas. A dedicated spouse visa would also be introduced.
This represents a clear philosophical shift. ILR has traditionally signified long-term stability and integration. By contrast, time-limited visas imply conditional residence, subject to periodic reassessment.
Supporters see flexibility and accountability in this model. Critics see prolonged uncertainty for families who may have built lives in Britain over many years.
A Proposed UK Deportation Command
Central to Reform UK’s plan is the creation of a dedicated deportation agency with the capacity to detain 24,000 individuals at any given time and remove up to 288,000 people annually. The proposal envisions five deportation flights operating each day.
To understand the scale of this ambition, it is worth comparing it to the current infrastructure. As of April 2024, the UK had approximately 2,500 immigration detention spaces. Expanding to nearly ten times that capacity would require significant financial investment, new facilities and substantial operational resources.
Reform argues that such expansion is necessary to restore order. Critics counter that the logistical and economic implications have not been fully addressed.
Britain vs. the United States: Will Enforcement Look the Same?
A recurring concern has been whether a British deportation force could resemble the highly visible and often controversial operations conducted by ICE in the United States.
Yusuf rejected comparisons with American-style enforcement clashes, arguing that policing in the UK is conducted “by consent” and that British officers would not carry firearms. He pointed to America’s high rate of civilian gun ownership as a key factor behind confrontations there, suggesting similar scenes are unlikely in Britain.
However, while the legal and cultural contexts differ, opponents argue that the intensity of enforcement — rather than the presence of firearms — is what drives public backlash. The debate, therefore, centres not only on method, but on tone and scale.
Strong Reactions from Civil Society
Migrants’ rights groups have responded forcefully. Organisations including the Work Rights Centre and Freedom from Torture have described the proposals as harmful to families and communities. They argue that aggressive enforcement risks social division and significant public expenditure, while undermining humanitarian commitments.
Reform UK, on the other hand, frames the policy as a response to what it describes as public frustration over migration levels. The party maintains that enforcement of immigration law is both legitimate and overdue.