Home Secretary threatens visa ban on Eritrea over migrant returns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 06:57 · Archive

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has threatened to block visas for all Eritreans unless the east African country takes back its nationals with no right to be in the UK and convicted criminals, most of whom arrive by small boat.

Eritrean diplomats and VIPs have already been stripped of fast-track visa access. According to The Independent, they also face restrictions on their movements outside London without Foreign Office permission. The measures follow the Eritrean government's alleged failure to honour an agreement on accepting migrant returns.

Ms Mahmood told The Telegraph: 'Eritrea has had every chance to accept the return of criminals and those with no right to be in the UK. Unlike other countries, it has refused. My message to the Eritrean government is simple: take back your nationals or face a complete ban on your citizens entering the UK.' She added she would not hesitate to impose further measures on other countries refusing to cooperate.

Similar threats of visa sanctions against Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2025 prompted those countries to agree to migrant returns, The Independent reports. The DRC reached an agreement with the UK in February, and over 3,000 nationals from all three countries could now be removed.

How it is being reported

• Eritreans face total UK visa ban in row over return of small boat migrantsThe east African country has ‘refused’ to accept the return of its criminals, says Shabana MahmoodThe Independent · 15 Oct, 06:33
• Shabana Mahmood threatens to impose Trump-style sanctions on Eritrea in visa rowShabana Mahmood has threatened to block Eritrean visas in a row over the east African country's migrant return rate. The Home Secretary has said she would bring in restrictions on Asmara unless it takes back its criminals and illegal migrants, most of whom arrive on small boats. Eritrean VIPs and diplomats have already been stripped of their fast-track visa access to the UK after the Eritrean government reneged on an agreement to take back migrants refused asylum or convicted of crimes in the UK. Now, Ms Mahmood has gone one step further, saying she would block visas for all Eritreans if the…GB News · 15 Oct, 01:56

In this story: Shabana Mahmood · Eritrea · UK · Angola · Namibia · Democratic Republic of Congo

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