Shabana Mahmood said visas would stop being issued to foreign nationals from certain countries if governments did not ‘play ball’ when it came to returns deals
Two countries have agreed to take back their citizens deported from the UK after the Home Secretary’s visa ban threat.
Three African countries – Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – were identified during last month’s announcement.
The three countries ‘faced penalties for their unacceptably poor and obstructive returns processes’, according to the Home Office.
Following the threat, Angola and Namibia agreed to accept the return of migrants, the department announced last night.
But the Mirror reports the UK has revoked fast-track visa processing and halted preferential visa treatment for diplomats and VIPs from the DRC after it failed to make changes.
Ms Mahmood said: “We expect countries to play by the rules. If one of their citizens has no right to be here, they must take them back.
“I thank Angola and Namibia and welcome their co-operation. Now is the time for the Democratic Republic of Congo to do the right thing.
“Take your citizens back or lose the privilege of entering our country.
“This is just the start of the measures I am taking to secure our border and ramp up the removal of those with no right to be here.”
Out of the more than 800,000 visas granted for employment, study, family or humanitarian reasons in the year to June, 299 were for those from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 273 for nationals from Angola and 140 for those from Namibia.
As for those considered illegal migrants, and recorded as having entered the UK through so-called ‘irregular’ routes in that timeframe, 11 came from the DRC, three from Angola and none from Namibia.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper added: “Since coming into government, we have removed more than 50,000 people with no right to be here, an increase of almost a quarter on the same period before the election, and we are determined to keep up that momentum.
“I have instructed our diplomatic network around the world to make returns a top priority, and today’s announcement shows that when countries work with us, we can achieve more rapid results.
“People who come to the UK illegally, overstay their visas, or commit crimes in our country should expect to be returned, and we will continue to demand the cooperation of their governments in that process.”
