Recent amendments to the list of safe states (inclusion of Georgia and India)

On 8 November 2023, it was announced that Georgia and India will be added to the UK’s list of Safe States in support of the implementation of the Illegal Migration Act 2023. It means that if people arrive in the UK on small boats from those countries, they could be sent back under government plans. It also indicates that people travelling to the UK from either country without permission (such as a valid entry clearance) will not be able to claim asylum, the Home Office said.

Campaigners, human rights activities and various legal scholars criticised the move, telling the Government to stop focusing on “evermore unworkable and unprincipled policies” and start working on running an asylum system “that gives people a fair hearing” and makes decisions “in months not years”.