In a late-night Commons statement on 13 July, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood pledged to table an amendment to the Immigration and Asylum Bill that would give ministers power to disapply section 7 of the 1971 Immigration Act for offenders whose crimes meet the citizenship-deprivation threshold. The announcement follows public anger at the release of Shabir Ahmed, the ringleader of the Rochdale child-sex-grooming gang, who cannot currently be removed because he has lived in the UK for more than 50 years. The proposed clause would apply to foreign nationals or dual nationals convicted of offences carrying sentences of at least 10 years, including terrorism, rape and human-trafficking. It would also enable the Foreign Office to impose visa sanctions on countries that refuse to accept their nationals back—a power last used in 2024 in a trafficking case involving Vietnam. Corporate mobility advisers should note that the amendment is tightly drafted to avoid unintended consequences for long-term sponsored employees. It expressly excludes immigration breaches and most financial crimes, focusing instead on violent and sexual offences. Nevertheless, sponsors may wish to review internal compliance and safeguarding policies, as the Home Office is expected to update its "good character" and "public-interest" guidance for visa extensions once the law changes. Human-rights NGOs have warned that the measure could trigger litigation under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Mahmood acknowledged that deportation would still depend on Pakistan accepting Ahmed, but insisted "all options remain on the table, including visa leverage".
Source: ITV News
