Overview

The UK Borders Control Bill aims to strengthen the UK's control over its borders by asserting parliamentary sovereignty over immigration, repealing conflicting legislation, and introducing a registration certificate system for non-UK citizens residing in the UK without proper documentation. The bill also establishes offenses and penalties for those who enter or remain in the UK illegally.

Description

This bill seeks to reaffirm the UK Parliament's authority to decide who can enter and leave the UK, overriding any conflicting laws or regulations. Key aspects include:

• Sovereignty Reaffirmation: Explicitly restates Parliament's control over UK borders.
• Regulation of Entry: Grants the UK exclusive right to regulate entry of non-UK citizens, superseding previous legislation (including any from the European Communities).
• Repeal of Section 7 of the 1988 Immigration Act: Removes specified section.
• Registration Certificates: Requires non-UK citizens residing without proper authorization to apply for a registration certificate by a specified date. The Secretary of State will manage this process and define application requirements.
• Offences and Penalties: Establishes criminal offenses for illegal entry or remaining in the UK after a specified date without proper authorization. Penalties include imprisonment and/or fines, with mandatory deportation unless deemed against the public interest by the Secretary of State.

Government Spending

The bill does not provide specific figures on the cost of implementing the registration certificate system, enforcement of new offenses, or potential increase in immigration detention and deportation. However, the overall implementation will likely involve significant government spending.

Groups Affected

• Non-UK citizens residing in the UK without proper documentation: These individuals will be directly affected, facing potential criminal charges and deportation if they fail to obtain a registration certificate by the specified date.
• UK Government agencies (e.g., Home Office): Will bear the responsibility for administering the new registration system and enforcing the bill's provisions.
• Courts and Judiciary: Will handle cases arising from offences under the bill.
• Immigration lawyers and support organizations: Will likely experience increased demand for their services.

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