Overview
- Angola and Namibia have agreed new returns processes that the UK says will enable deportations of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders in the coming months.
- After limited cooperation from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the UK revoked fast-track visa processing and preferential treatment, with the home secretary warning of possible further curbs up to a full visa halt.
- Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has directed British diplomats to make returns a top priority as part of a more transactional approach to securing cooperation.
- Since July 2024, the government reports nearly 50,000 deportations and more than 7,000 foreign national offenders removed under its tougher enforcement strategy.
- The three countries named account for a very small share of UK visas and recorded irregular arrivals, indicating the measures function as leverage rather than a broad immigration curb.