Reform UK has pledged to immediately terminate the refugee resettlement scheme introduced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and to deport all individuals who have entered Britain under this program if the party forms the next government. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, outlined the policy ahead of a planned speech, which will also include additional immigration measures such as a review of Britain’s Afghan resettlement initiatives.

The party intends to release detailed figures on the financial cost of these programs, as well as data on criminal activity attributed to Afghan migrants. Reform UK’s strategy includes revoking the right to remain in the UK for individuals not deemed to be at genuine risk in their home countries. It also commits to deporting those accused of exploiting Britain’s asylum and immigration system.

Farage criticized the current government’s immigration policies, stating that Britain is not obligated to accept more migrants under existing arrangements. He questioned the legitimacy of the incumbent administration, led by Labour’s Andy Burnham, noting the absence of a fresh electoral mandate on these policies. Reform UK has also proposed greater transparency by publishing details of asylum-related contracts and housing agreements to expose what it describes as businesses profiting from immigration.

In an additional measure, Reform UK has indicated that it would impose tariffs on countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia if they refuse to repatriate illegal immigrants and foreign criminals residing in the UK. This stance follows the reopening of a legal and safe route for refugees by the Home Secretary last month, which prioritizes Afghan women and girls as well as Palestinians.

The Refugee resettlement plans have drawn scrutiny from the Jewish Leadership Council, which has sought more information from Ms. Mahmood regarding the security protocols, vetting processes, and the scope of cultural orientation lessons, in particular whether they explicitly address extremism and anti-Semitism.

Reform UK is also preparing to publish a comprehensive audit of government migration records dating back to 2010, detailing the number of arrivals by nationality and entry route. The party plans to collaborate with local authorities and the National Health Service to create the first official estimate of illegal immigrants residing in Britain in over two decades. Under Reform UK’s proposals, individuals identified as residing illegally would face detention and removal from the country.