Migrants who are listed on the UK’s sex offenders register will soon be automatically disqualified from claiming asylum, as part of a proposed overhaul of immigration law.
Currently, under international law including the Refugee Convention, individuals can be denied asylum if they are considered war criminals, terrorists, or have committed particularly serious crimes—typically defined in the UK as offences resulting in a prison sentence of one year or more. However, under new plans by the UK government, anyone who has been convicted of an offence that results in placement on the sex offenders register will be ineligible for refugee status—regardless of the sentence length.
The new rule will also consider sex offence convictions from abroad, although acceptance of these will depend on the legal standards of the country where the conviction took place.
The policy change follows public outcry over the case of Abdul Ezedi, a known sex offender who was granted asylum and later carried out a chemical attack on a woman and two children in south London. The new legislation would have made it easier to deny Ezedi asylum or deport him due to his previous convictions. 
The proposed reforms will be brought forward as an amendment to the Government’s current Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. In addition to targeting sex offenders, the amendment also includes a mandate for immigration tribunals to resolve certain appeal cases. Especially those involving asylum seekers in government-provided accommodation or foreign national offenders—within 24 weeks. This move aims to reduce the current asylum application backlog and limit reliance on hotel accommodation for claimants.
To streamline processing, artificial intelligence tools will be deployed to assist caseworkers with asylum applications, potentially reducing processing time by up to an hour per case.
The legislation will also take aim at unqualified immigration advisers. Those offering legal support without proper accreditation could face fines of up to £15,000, according to the Immigration Advice Authority.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated: “Those on the sex offenders register should never benefit from the protections of refugee status in the UK. We are tightening the law to make sure the severity of these crimes is recognized.”
She added, “People seeking asylum shouldn’t be left in hotels at public expense while long legal cases drag on. These reforms will cut delays, end the use of asylum hotels, and save billions in taxpayer funds.”
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips echoed the sentiment: “Our commitment to halving violence against women and girls over the next decade means toughening protections. That includes ensuring foreign nationals who commit grave crimes like sexual assault cannot claim the privileges of refugee protection.”
