A West Yorkshire MP has raised concerns in Parliament over a loophole he believes is being used by a ‘small minority’ of individuals to bypass the UK immigration system.
In a debate in Parliament, Keighley and Ilkley’s MP Robbie Moore says he has noticed a ‘worrying’ trend of spouses who have recently entered the UK making domestic abuse claims against their partners.
The MP believes that some individuals are using the claims to achieve cost-free indefinite leave to remain in the UK, and believes closing the loophole has the support of the Bangladeshi and Pakistani community in his constituency.
Under current immigration procedures, individuals brought to the UK on a spouse visa are granted an initial 2.5 years’ right to remain. The spouse must then apply and pay for that to be extended for a further 2.5 years. If the relationship does not break down in that period, the individual may then apply for settled status at their own cost.If the relationship breaks down, the visa is void and the individual returns to their country of origin.
However, if the spouse reports that they have experienced domestic abuse by their British partner, the costs are borne by the British taxpayer and the spouse receives settled status immediately.
The MP says he is that out of the nine claims brought to his office, none have been taken further by the police.
Mr Moore highlighted “one mother whose son’s spouse came across to reside with them. A complaint of domestic abuse was made against not only the son, but the wider family.”
He continued: “Indeed, some claims of domestic abuse are now being made as early as a few weeks into the claimants’ arrival in the UK, both by men and women. I fear that even in loving relationships, a claim of domestic abuse is being used by certain individuals to accelerate getting settled status or to avoid the costs that must be paid to apply for settled status or for visa extension”
“Let me say that I am in no way suggesting that honest claimants of domestic abuse should be ignored by the authorities or should not be assisted by the police. Of course, anyone found to have perpetrated domestic abuse should feel the full force of the law, and victims should receive as much support as necessary.”
“In my view, if a relationship is terminated on the grounds of domestic abuse, the spouse should be returned to their country of origin once the police have carried out sufficient investigation or any immediate safety concerns have been addressed. The closing of the loophole has wide-ranging support across my constituency, including in the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities. We all fear that the system, which most people use honestly, is being abused by a small minority.:
Responding, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, Seema Malhotra, acknowledged the concerns raised. She said:
“I will make a broad point on the issue raised about particular routes and the appendix for domestic abuse. It is extremely important for Members across the House to ensure that we are tackling abuse on any routes. On what is an important safeguard in the system, we are clear that there has to be a high threshold of evidence and that we take steps to tackle abuse wherever we detect that and wherever that occurs. That is extremely important and a clear approach across the Home Office.”
