MORE foreign lags are set to be deported straight after their jail term — and they won’t be able to appeal until they are back home.
A scheme — called Deport Now, Appeal Later — that covered offenders from just eight countries is being expanded to 23.
Foreign criminals are put on flights immediately after their sentence — and they can only fight the decision once they are back in their own country.
It aims to stop deportation cases clogging up UK courts.
The countries to be added are Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda and Zambia.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for years while their appeals drag on.
“That has to end — those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “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.”
Nearly 5,200 foreign lags have been removed since July 2024 — up 14 per cent on the previous year.
The expansion of the scheme, which will go before MPs “in due course”, comes after steps were announced to allow foreign offenders to be deported after sentencing.
Instead of going to jail, they will be flown home.
But the plan, which Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said would save £54,000 a year per prisoner, faced Tory criticism.
Ex-Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said it gives a green light to foreign crooks, adding: “They will think the worst that can happen to me is that I’ll be put on a plane.”
PAYvette Cooper said: ‘For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for years while their appeals drag on’[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
