UK Includes India In ‘Deport Now Appeal Later’ Scheme

After the US has begun implementing stricter rules against immigrants, the UK is also trying to address the increasing migration. The UK Home Office stated that the “Deport Now Appeal Later” scheme will expand from eight to 23 countries, which means nearly triple the number.

As part of the scheme, foreign nationals from these countries will be deported first, with the opportunity to appeal only after the deportation. India is one of the countries now included in an expanded UK government list. It is among the 15 countries added to a list of eight whose nationals, when convicted of crimes in the UK, will no longer be able to delay their deportation by appealing against the decision to remove them. Criminals from India will be deported and have to take part in any hearing related to any appeal against deportation remotely from India via video link. The criminals, including terrorists, murderers and those serving life sentences, will continue to have to serve their prison sentence in Britain before being considered for deportation. This means Indians would be thrown out of UK, if they m

As per the old practice, offenders from the countries in question could remain in the UK for years while they appealed being deported under human rights laws. Those Indians who are deported are barred from re-entering the UK. Once back in their home country, the Indian authorities can decide on whether to send them to prison or set them free.

Till now, the UK could deport foreign criminals from eight countries without appeal in the UK, namely Finland, Nigeria, Estonia, Albania, Mauritius, Tanzania, Belize and Kosovo. The new nations added to the list are Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda and Zambia.

As of June 30, 2025, there are 320 Indian nationals in jail in England and Wales. Of them 310 are men and 10 are women. Most foreign prisoners can be deported after serving 30% of their prison time in the UK.

But according to the new order, foreigners violating the rules of the UK will be deported first, soon as they are sentenced to prison as opposed to completion of 30% of the prison time. They will be allowed to participate in their UK appeal hearings remotely via video technology from abroad.

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. This would end from now onawards, a Home Office official said.

The UK government stated that it is continuing its talks with various other countries regarding their participation in the scheme. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Our message is clear. If you abuse our hospitality and break our laws, we will send you packing.” In the first quarter of 2025, over 1,903 people were deported from the UK to India and last year, over 6,069 were deported, including overstayers and failed asylum-seekers.

While the UK officials say the move streamlines justice and cuts costs, critics argue it undermines due process and human rights. The policy’s expansion raises new diplomatic and legal challenges between the UK and India.