Nigel Farage is set to unveil plans for what would be one of the most sweeping immigration crackdowns in modern British politics, with Reform UK pledging to review up to 400,000 asylum decisions and deport those deemed to have entered or remained in the country unlawfully.
Under proposals expected to be announced in the coming days, a Reform government would launch an immediate reassessment of asylum claims made over the past five years, targeting individuals who arrived via small boats, concealed in vehicles, or who overstayed visas before claiming protection.
The party says anyone found to have entered illegally or whose country of origin is now considered safe under Government criteria would lose their right to remain, along with any dependent family members. Those affected would be given a limited period to leave voluntarily, after which enforcement action would follow, GB News reported.
Central to the plan is the creation of a new “Deportation Command”, tasked with identifying, detaining and removing those without legal status. Reform claims the policy would also extend to more than 600,000 unsuccessful asylum seekers already in the system.
Zia Yusuf, Reform’s home affairs spokesman, said the proposals were designed to “reverse the invasion of Britain”, accusing successive governments of allowing de facto open borders.
“For years, Tory and Labour governments have presided over an invasion of Britain,” he said. “Instead of upholding the law, they have rewarded those who broke it by entering Britain illegally. Reform will reverse this.”
The party argues that a large proportion of asylum claims originate from irregular entry routes, citing official figures suggesting around 41 per cent of applicants last year arrived via small boats, with further significant proportions entering concealed in lorries or overstaying legal visas.
However, the plans are likely to trigger immediate legal and political challenges. Rights groups and refugee organisations are expected to accuse Reform of undermining international obligations and legal protections for asylum seekers.
To implement the policy, Reform is also proposing major constitutional changes, including withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention. The party says this would be necessary to overcome anticipated court challenges.
A proposed Illegal Migration (Mass Deportation) Act would place a legal duty on ministers to remove anyone deemed not to have a right to remain in the UK.
The announcement is expected to sharpen an already fierce political debate over immigration, with critics warning of legal chaos and supporters arguing the system has lost public confidence.
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