The UK government has announced a series of bold reforms to its asylum and immigration policies, spearheaded by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. The plans include fast-tracking the deportation of illegal migrants and overhauling human rights laws to address the record-high number of asylum claims. Under the new measures, individuals granted asylum will be returned to their home countries if those nations are deemed safe at any point, and they must wait 20 years to apply for permanent residency—a significant increase from the current five-year requirement. Additionally, the UK will suspend visa issuance for citizens of three African countries—Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—if their governments fail to improve cooperation on deportation processes. The reforms also aim to streamline the appeals system, which currently faces a backlog of over 50,000 cases, by limiting appeals to a single attempt and expediting the removal of foreign criminals. Successful asylum seekers will face stricter conditions, including biennial reviews of their status and the potential loss of housing and financial allowances. The government plans to adopt a Danish-inspired model, seizing assets like cars and e-bikes to cover accommodation costs, though sentimental items such as wedding rings will be exempt. Critics, including some Labour MPs and refugee advocacy groups, argue that the reforms risk creating prolonged uncertainty and alienation for asylum seekers. However, the government maintains that these measures are necessary to restore public trust and control over immigration. The Home Office has also signaled intentions to reform Article 3 and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which have been used to block deportations in certain cases. While the reforms have drawn mixed reactions, they underscore the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by illegal migration and asylum claims.