Parliamentary.ai

Overview

The UK Borders Control Bill aims to give the UK Parliament absolute control over who enters and leaves the country. It seeks to strengthen border security by clarifying and reinforcing the UK's right to regulate immigration, regardless of previous agreements or legislation.

Description

This bill asserts the UK Parliament's sovereignty in controlling its borders. It explicitly states the UK's exclusive right to decide which non-UK citizens can enter and when they must leave, overriding any conflicting laws. Section 3 repeals Section 7 of the Immigration Act 1988 (content not specified in provided text). A key element is the introduction of registration certificates for non-UK citizens residing in the UK without proper documentation. These certificates must be applied for by December 31st, 2015. Failure to do so or entering the UK without authorization after that date constitutes a criminal offense, punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine (up to £5,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland), or both. Deportation is mandatory unless the Secretary of State certifies it's against the public interest.

Government Spending

The bill's financial implications are not specified in the provided text. The cost of administering the registration certificate system and potential increases in enforcement activities are likely to increase government spending, however no figures are available.

Groups Affected

This bill significantly impacts non-UK citizens residing in the UK without proper documentation. They face potential criminal charges and deportation if they fail to obtain the required registration certificate by the deadline. The bill also impacts government agencies responsible for immigration enforcement and the administration of the new registration system. The impact on businesses which rely on non-UK citizen workers may be negative, depending on the outcome of the bill.