Mahmood outlines safe immigration routes plan to win over Labour left

Shabana Mahmood will introduce legislation next week to accelerate the establishment of safe and legal immigration routes for thousands of refugees to the UK. This move is intended to garner support for her immigration bill from the progressive left within the Labour party. The proposed bill will also impose new restrictions on asylum claims made on human rights grounds and under modern slavery legislation. Specifically, the bill aims to remove modern slavery protections for foreign nationals convicted of crimes and sentenced, and it will eliminate the previous 12-month threshold for such claims. Furthermore, it will reject last-minute modern slavery claims if objections could have been raised earlier or if false documentation is evident. Claims under the right to family life will be limited to cases involving a parent, spouse, or child under 18, except in exceptional circumstances. A new test will be implemented to clarify that deporting foreign national offenders is in the public interest and should only be prevented in the most exceptional situations. Applications for family reunion will require a UK-based sponsor, rather than being initiated by the overseas family member. The legislation also mandates a dedicated independent guardian for every trafficked and exploited child to support their safeguarding and recovery.