Yvette Cooper has been criticised over her plans to end the Channel migrant crisis (Image: Getty)
Labour has been forced into a u-turn on citizenship for Channel migrants.
The Home Office confirmed migrants will “normally” be refused the right to remain if they entered the UK illegally.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had faced criticism that her Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill “created a path to citizenship”.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Just days ago, Labour claimed changes to border rules were ‘unworkable’. But now they’re dancing to our tune with a change in position they have been forced into.
“The Conservative party is under new leadership, which is why we are pressing ahead with our plans to safeguard the border – why we will bring in a hard cap on visa numbers and a working deterred to stop criminal gangs cashing in on human suffering.”
Migrants have continued crossing the Channel (Image: Getty)
The Home Office’s good character guidance now states that an applicant will “normally” be refused citizenship if they entered the UK illegally – no matter how long they have lived in the UK.
It makes particular reference to those who arrived “having made a dangerous journey”, including those “travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle”.
Ms Creasy told Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday: “This is not about whether we offer these people refuge, these people are people who can stay here already. This is about people who are here, who are part of our communities.
“I was incredibly proud over the last couple of months to work with one of my neighbours, who is a young man who fled Syria, who is now making a life here, has just got his degree, is contributing to our society, and has now got British citizenship. This process would deny that.
“Essentially it would deny, well, frankly, Paddington. Paddington did the same thing. He came by an irregular route, but we gave him sanctuary but wouldn’t give him a passport.”
In response to criticism of her comments, Ms Creasy subsequently posted on the X, formerly Twitter, social media site, writing: “We did indeed give Paddington a passport. We also gave Sir Mo Farah a knighthood and cheered him at the olympics.”
And former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett also attacked the plans, claiming the revised immigration rules threaten community cohesion and statelessness.
Raising his concerns about the recent revision, Lord Blunkett added: “Will the minister ask the Home secretary to reflect on the societal and cohesion aspects of this policy, the impact on children and their right to UK citizenship and the statelessness which would arise for individuals if their birth country refused to renew or retain their nationality?
“Surely this Parliament should have a say in such a big change.”
Responding, Home Office minister Lord Hanson of Flint said: “He will know that the proposals today are about illegal entry to the United Kingdom and do not affect rightful citizenship applications for people who are entering the UK legally.
“In terms of those who are stateless and at risk of losing citizenship, for people who do qualify there is a stateless leave provision and they can apply for that. And children again will be considered sympathetically under existing legislation.”
The Home Office’s good character guidance, updated on Monday, states: “A person who applies for citizenship from 10 February 2025 who has previously arrived without a required valid entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation, having made a dangerous journey will normally be refused citizenship.
“A dangerous journey includes, but is not limited to, travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance.”
It comes as Labour’s new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which scraps the ‘ Rwanda plan, passed its first hurdle in the Commons on Monday.
Ms Cooper’s plan will create a host of new offences and give Border Force and the National Crime Agency counter-terrorism style powers.
Rescue teams faced a day of carnage in the Channel, with dozens of people having to be rescued to prevent yet more tragedies.
Five people were rushed to hospital after a boat carrying approximately 40 people got into trouble off the coast of Le Portel beach near Calais.
Another boat, carrying around 60 passengers also tried to leave French shores at midday – but got into difficulty. Witnesses said they saw one migrant trying to reinflate the boat while they were in the water. The engine on that vessel also failed.
So far this year 1,554 people in 30 boats have made the dangerous journey to the UK. On February 10, the same day the rules came into force, three people successfully crossed the English Channel in one boat.
Two bodies were also found on a French beach near Sangatte, suspected to be migrants who attempted a crossing on Sunday, according to French media.
It takes the number known to have died making the crossing so far this year to four people. A Home Office spokesperson said: “We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.
“The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay. We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.”