New UK Home Secretary 'Shabana Mahmood' May Tighten Indian Visa Rules
Los Angeles/Sep 12, 2025
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh
Newly appointed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has warned that the UK could suspend visas for countries that refuse to take back their citizens who have no legal right to remain in Britain.
On her third day in office, Ms Mahmood set out a tough stance on immigration, vowing to go “further and faster” than her predecessor Yvette Cooper in tackling illegal migration. She pledged to do “whatever it takes” to end small boat crossings, which have already topped 30,000 this year in record time.
Speaking after talks with officials from the UK’s “Five Eyes” security allies — the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand — Ms Mahmood said coordinated action was being discussed. She stressed that suspending visas could be used against countries that “do not play ball” by refusing to repatriate their nationals.
“This is a Labour government with Labour policy,” she said. “If one of your citizens has no right to be in our country, then you must take them back. We will not allow our laws to remain unenforced.”
Her remarks follow Reform UK’s call to deport 600,000 people within five years, partly by imposing visa restrictions on uncooperative countries.
Ms Mahmood also hinted at possible changes to domestic laws and the way the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is applied, arguing that the “balance” between protecting rights and securing borders “isn’t in the right place.” While backing the idea of ID cards, she stopped short of saying whether they would be compulsory.
The Labour government is under growing pressure to contain the surge in Channel crossings, with Reform UK and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pressing for tougher action. Britain already has returns agreements with countries such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Albania, and Bangladesh, but ministers believe more enforcement is needed.
Ms Mahmood is also preparing wider reforms to immigration policy. Plans are underway to move asylum seekers from hotels into military barracks, with the Ministry of Defence helping to identify sites.
Critics, however, remain sceptical. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Labour must move from “talking tough” to “acting tough,” insisting that visas should be halted immediately for countries refusing to take back their citizens.
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