Ministers are currently examining the application of international human rights law to individuals seeking residency in the UK after entering through unauthorized means, according to Yvette Cooper. Specifically, the Home Secretary is reviewing the implementation of Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, which protects the right to family life and has been previously invoked by individuals seeking to remain in the country. This review is part of a broader strategy by Cooper aimed at reducing the unusually high numbers of people crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Last Sunday, Cooper announced a crackdown on gig employers, such as takeaways and barbershops, that hire individuals without the appropriate visa status. Additionally, she plans to host an international summit on organized migration crime in London this Monday.
Speaking to the BBC, Cooper acknowledged concerns over certain cases and the overall operation of the immigration and asylum system, emphasizing the need for a firmer sense of control within the system. Article 8 has been central to several controversial asylum cases, including one involving a Palestinian family who were permitted to stay after entering through the Ukrainian resettlement scheme.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously referred to this as a “loophole” in February, indicating that Cooper is investigating how this aspect of human rights law interacts with the immigration system. However, neither Starmer nor Cooper has elucidated on potential future changes to the system to prevent similar cases.
The Home Secretary is also pursuing measures to reduce the number of small boat crossings, which have already surpassed 5,000 this month, earlier than in previous years. She partly attributes the increase to favorable weather conditions but has implemented a new rule requiring companies within the “gig economy” to verify the visa status of workers, even when they are contractors rather than full employees. The effectiveness of this enforcement remains to be seen, as Cooper hopes it will curb the activities of criminal networks and encourage greater responsibility from employers.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/30/yvette-cooper-reviews-right-to-family-life-for-people-who-enter-uk-irregularly
