India added to UK’s 'deport now, appeal later' list of 23 countries

A significant shift in the United Kingdom’s immigration policy now includes India among 23 countries whose convicted nationals are subject to immediate deportation after sentencing, under the expanded “deport now, appeal later” scheme.

This removes the previous allowance for offenders to remain in the UK while their appeals are processed, instead requiring them to launch appeals remotely from their home countries via video link.

Previously, this policy applied to just eight nations. India is now grouped with countries like Australia, Canada, Kenya, Malaysia, and Uganda under the scheme, a move described as part of the UK’s broader strategy to unclog its immigration and justice systems.

The expansion reduces the number of foreign offenders exploiting appeal options to delay removal. The UK government has emphasized that the revised process will significantly reduce prison overcrowding and curb taxpayer costs.

Since July 2024, approximately 5,200 foreign nationals have been deported—a 14% increase over the previous year.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that deportation could begin immediately after sentencing, instead of after serving 30% of the sentence as was scheduled from September. Life sentences and terrorism-related cases are exempted and require completion of the full term.

New infrastructure has also been deployed with £5 million allocated to station specialist deportation teams across nearly 80 prisons.

Eligible deportees retain the right to appeal their convictions from abroad via video hearings. Offenders serving life terms, suicidal offenders, and terrorism-related convicts will continue serving full sentences.

The UK government cites diplomatic efforts to broaden this system and believes it maintains a balance between effective enforcement and fair hearing procedures.

Human rights experts and former UK ministers caution that allowing serious offenders such as rapists or domestic abusers to avoid serving time in the UK, if not prosecuted in their home countries undermines justice.

Former justice secretary Alex Chalk warned: “You don’t exclude rapists... that means serious offenders could be released with no punishment, taxpayer-funded flight home, and remote hearings by video”—potentially compromising accountability.

This policy revives measures originally introduced under Theresa May's government in 2014 but suspended in 2017 following human rights challenges. Its reinstatement and expansion signal the UK government's intensified push on immigration enforcement amid public and political pressure.

For India, the immediate implications include expedited removal procedures for convicted citizens and reliance on remote legal appeal platforms.

With many Indian nationals in UK prisons, this policy marks a significant escalation in bilateral immigration protocol and may prompt discussions between both nations on legal aftercare, remand services, and reintegration.