By Natalie Bloomer
Priti Patel’s controversial new Nationality and Borders Bill has been branded ‘disgusting’ and ‘nasty’ following its publication yesterday.
The home secretary says the legislation will “deliver on what the British people have voted for time and time again - for the UK to take full control of its borders” and “paves the way for a fair but firm system.”
Paul Crofts, a board member of Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council (NREC) said the bill will effectively “criminalise people seeking asylum”.
A key part of the bill would make it a criminal offence for a person to “knowingly arrive” in the UK without permission to be here.
“People have a right to claim asylum, it is not illegal to do that. Perhaps if there is a way for them to do it ‘legally’ and safely the home secretary could make that clear,” Crofts told NN Journal.
Other measures within the bill include:
Powers to control visa availability for countries refusing to take back their own citizens
Immigration official…
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