The UK's Conservative Party has announced a significant immigration strategy that includes the establishment of a dedicated 'Removals Force' with the aim of deporting 150,000 individuals each year. This initiative, presented on October 4, 2025, backed by a proposed £1.6 billion in funding, is a central part of a broader plan to reform the nation's approach to irregular migration and asylum.
The proposed 'Removals Force' is modeled on the United States' Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. This new body would be granted sweeping new powers, including the authority to use facial recognition technology without prior warning for immigration checks. The plan also mandates closer collaboration with law enforcement, requiring police officers to conduct immigration checks on all individuals they stop or arrest to enhance the identification and removal of those residing in the UK without legal status.
In the UK, there is already an increase in the use of facial recognition technology by the police for searching passport and immigration databases, raising concerns about privacy and lack of transparency. In 2023, the number of searches in the passport database increased from 2 to 417, and in the immigration database from 16 to 102 in 2024. These actions are carried out without a clear legal basis and without informing the public or parliament.
Beyond the 'Removals Force,' the Conservative Party's 'Borders Plan' outlines substantial reforms to the asylum system. Under the proposed changes, refugee status would primarily be granted only to individuals facing direct threats from foreign governments, potentially excluding those fleeing conflict or countries with restrictive laws concerning religion or sexuality. The party anticipates that "few people will qualify" for asylum under these new criteria.
Further proposals include the abolition of the immigration tribunal, consolidating decision-making authority within the Home Office and significantly limiting appeal rights. The plan also signals a discontinuation of legal aid for immigration cases, with the party asserting that lawyers are unnecessary because people 'should just tell the truth about the circumstances' and accusing some solicitors of defrauding the UK. Opponents have criticized this move, highlighting the complexity of immigration law and the potential for injustice for vulnerable individuals.
The Labour Party has expressed strong opposition, characterizing the Conservative proposals as a continuation of failed policies and referencing the government's record on net migration and asylum expenditure, including the opening of over 400 hotels for refugees and £700 million spent on the Rwanda plan. This proposed overhaul comes amid heightened global and national focus on irregular migration and border security, signaling a significant shift in UK immigration policy with potential far-reaching consequences for asylum seekers, legal processes, and civil liberties.