Aneurin Brewer responds to the Nationality and Borders Bill

Aneurin Brewer has written an opinion piece examining Government’s proposed Nationality and Borders Bill which was introduced on the 6 July.

On 20 July, MPs backed the second reading of the Nationality and Borders Bill, which makes arriving in the UK without permission a criminal offence.

Writing in Society Law Gazette he says:

“The government’s Bill first enlarges the section 24 and 25 offences to include not just illegal entry but simply arriving without valid entry clearance (Clause 37(2)(C1) & (4)). The effect of this is that unless a refugee can secure a visa before fleeing persecution in their home country, they will be committing an offence which will now attract a maximum sentence of 4 years’ imprisonment and life imprisonment for anyone who assists them (Clause 38(1)). The fact that they are proved to be a genuine refugee and had no other option will provide them with no statutory defence.”

Read full piece here: [Law Gazette]