Migrants’ last-minute asylum claims will face extra scrutiny

Migrants who make last-minute claims in an attempt to frustrate their deportation will face tougher scrutiny under a proposed law. An amendment to the Immigration and Asylum Bill will mean asylum and protection claims made without good reason could damage a migrant’s credibility and make them less likely to succeed. Most commented 1 New My partner died. Then I found a text: ‘Shall we have an affair?’ Sex & Relationships 24 comments 2 New 500 arrested as French police use tear gas during student protests Europe 9 comments 3 New I sleep with my dogs. A new study proves it’s better for me Pets 22 comments 4 Oil price hits 5 as Hurricane Isaias threatens US producers Companies & Markets 25 comments 5 Oliver Glasner: Premier League’s integrity at risk if City case drags on Football 4 comments Judges and immigration decision-makers will take into account when a claim was made when ruling on it. They will also factor in the timing of other key evidence such as trafficking claims . Top stories 1 Trump Jr’s ex-fiancée ‘asked donor to pay 0k credit card bill’ US politics 2 Trump’s war with Iran doubles the cost of his rides in ‘the Beast’ US politics 3 Warning for Burnham over US link on military satellites Companies & Markets 4 New Starbucks ‘explores takeover’ of Chipotle Mexican Grill US business 5 Andy Burnham vows ‘deeper co-operation’ with EU to tackle Russia Politics This builds on measures in the bill to fast-track late asylum claims made by migrants facing enforcement. Just 1% of asylum pleas are genuine, says insider Advertisement Under the amendment, a migrant set to be deported from the UK will be served with a claim notice and must submit any grounds they have for remaining by a set deadline, including any claims for protection and evidence in their favour. Andy Burnham with Anna Turley, the minister for border security and asylum, during a visit with the coastguard team in Kent Jack Taylor/PA Appeals to stay in the UK that are filed after that deadline, or after a person has received notice of their removal, will be treated as late claims, with the lateness factored into the decision-making process. Top stories 1 China came for Congo’s gold. Then Ebola struck Africa 2 Our tower block caught fire — why are we still paying £1,500 a month? Mortgages 3 My daughter works part-time — can she rescue her retirement? Ask Times Money 4 Three popular money rules that you should rethink Saving & Investing Such late claims often result in a lengthy delay while an initial decision is made and any subsequent appeals are considered, during which time the migrant cannot be removed from the UK. In some cases, this has meant individuals in immigration detention are then released back into the community while their new claims are considered. The amendments would reduce that by hearing more claims before they can be released. Inside the asylum court trying to tackle the migrant backlog Advertisement The average time taken for the asylum and protection appeals cases to be heard stands at 72 weeks, with about 156,000 cases waiting to come before a first-tier tribunal. Anna Turley, the minister for border security and asylum, said: “People should not be able to frustrate a lawful removal by waiting until the steps of the plane to make an asylum claim without good reason. Turley said closing “this route to abuse” will help to speed up deportations Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing/Getty Images “By closing this route to abuse, we will prevent unnecessary delays, speed up removals and restore order and control to our immigration system.” Expedited claims will be carefully considered and decided by professionally trained and independent adjudicators working for the Independent Immigration Appeals Authority (IIAA), which will also be created by the bill. In documents released on Thursday, the government said the IIAA will consist of professionally trained and independently appointed adjudicators who will be able to determine a greater volume of cases and prioritise appeals in the public interest, prioritising foreign offenders and those making claims that are “clearly without merit”. Advertisement Where an individual has good reason for disclosing information late, the IIAA will be able to take this into account on a case-by-case basis.