The UK House of Lords has drawn attention to a significant decline in the number of foreigners deported from the United Kingdom, with Sri Lanka listed among the countries showing a sharp drop in returns.
During a debate on the matter, the UK’s Shadow Home Office Minister, Lord Davies of Gower, cited data from the UK Migration Observatory, noting that returns to Sri Lanka have fallen by 97% over the past decade. Similar declines were reported for Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Lord Davies spoke in support of Amendment 71, which seeks to make it mandatory for the UK Home Secretary to impose visa penalties on countries that refuse to accept the return of their nationals.
“When a country refuses or delays verification of identity or status, removal becomes impossible,” Lord Davies told the House.
He stressed that the proposed amendment would ensure the Secretary of State not only holds the discretion to act in such cases but would be required to do so.
Lord Davies also emphasized the importance of transparency in maintaining public confidence in the immigration system. He called on the government to publish data on overseas students whose visas have been revoked or who have been deported following criminal convictions.
