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New Delhi: In a latest development that comes as little worrying, India has now been added to a UK list of countries where foreign criminals will be deported immediately post a sentence, even before their appeals are heard. The step is in lines to crack down on rising migration and related crimes in England.
In an announcement on August 10, 2025, the UK Home Office confirmed the expansion of its “Deport Now Appeal Later” scheme, which went from eight countries to 23.
The ‘Deport Now Appeal Later’ list that the US has, and which it has currently expanded, allows them to send foreigners who commit crimes in the UK back to their home nations before they can appeal against their sentence. The list has had new countries added to it which apart from India, also include Canada and Australia. With the new additions, now 23 countries are part of the list. The country’s Home Office also said that more countries could be added to the list in the future.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper commented that expansion of the scheme was done to prevent foreign criminals from "exploiting our immigration system" and "fast-track" their removals. “For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on. That has to end,” said added. “Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced,” she said.
Foreigners who are deported will have a chance to take part in their UK appeal hearing remotely using video technology. The concept of the list was revived in 2023 by then Conservative home secretary Suella Braverman, included Finland, Nigeria, Estonia, Albania, Belize, Mauritius, Tanzania and Kosovo.
India worrying became the latest edition to the list, added along with Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda and Zambia. The U.K. government said it remains in continuous discussions with “a range of other countries about joining the scheme”.
“We are leading diplomatic efforts to increase the number of countries where foreign criminals can be swiftly returned, and if they want to appeal, they can do so safely from their home country. Under this scheme, we’re investing in international partnerships that uphold our security and make our streets safer,” said Foreign Secretary David Lammy. According to the Home Office, previously offenders from the countries on the expanded list could remain in the UK for months or years while their cases were worked through the appeals system as an “added burden on the British taxpayer” beyond the end of the prison sentences.
The UK also released the latest figures that showed that around 5,200 foreign nationals were deported since July 2024 when the Labour government came into office. The government also said that it is making efforts to legislate to ensure that asylum seekers who commit notifiable sex offences can be stripped of their right to claim refugee protection under new powers in the Borders Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
