UK To Repatriate Over 10,000 Bangladeshi Citizens

The decision has been made by the authorities of the country to reject applications from more than 10,000 Bangladeshis for permanent residency in the United Kingdom. This decision comes after both the UK and Bangladesh agreed to a fast-track return agreement. The Telegraph reported this information yesterday.

According to the report, unsuccessful asylum applicants will be returned to Bangladesh under the fast-track return agreement. Primarily, Bangladeshis have been among the top local applicants for visas after entering the UK. The Telegraph indicates that nearly 11,000 Bangladeshis entered Britain last year, primarily aiming to reside permanently in the country. They subsequently applied for asylum upon arrival.

International students, workers, or visitors have been claiming political asylum in Britain since March last year. They have been utilizing visas primarily meant for entry into Britain for education, work, or visitation to seek refuge as a "backdoor" entry strategy.

However, only 5% of primary asylum applications from Bangladeshis have been successful. Thus, more than 10,000 Bangladeshis will be returned from the UK.

In this situation, the UK's Minister for Illegal Immigration, Michael Tomlinson, has signed a fast-track return agreement with Bangladesh. This agreement not only targets unsuccessful asylum seekers but also facilitates the deportation process for foreign nationals who have committed crimes or overstayed their visas in Britain after entry.

According to official documents released last month, until March 2023, a record number of 21,525 visa holders applied for asylum in the UK. This represents a 154% increase compared to the previous year.

The media reports that among those applying for asylum after obtaining visas to the UK, Pakistanis top the list. Nearly 17,400 citizens of Pakistan have applied for asylum in the country, followed by Bangladeshis. The number of Bangladeshi asylum seekers is approximately 11,000. Then, there are 7,400 from India, 6,600 from Nigeria, and 6,000 from Afghanistan.

However, efforts to return illegal immigrants from the UK are not new. Last year, 26,000 individuals without the right to remain in the UK were returned to their home countries.