Boris Contemplates An Amnesty

[Khandro]

............ for illegal immigrants (possibly 1 million) who have resided in the UK for 15 years which would allow them British s citizenship and passports,
Do you agree with this ?
There is a government petition against this happening if you don't


https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/266925/signatures/new

[youngmafbog]

Actually I do agree with it, providing the 15 years rule is kept.

If someone has managed to live in the UK undetected for thaat length of time presumably with no benefits then I dont consider them a drain on resources. Lets get them registered and paying taxes.

Lets face it, with todays Human Rights there is little chance of getting them deported after such time so why waste money lining scum lawyers pockets trying?

It should be a one-off though.

[Zacs-Master]

Says half a million in The Times:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-johnson-vows-to-back-amnesty-for-illegal-migrants-ghjsd5jms

[dannyk13]

Yes, agree with it.

[ichkeria]

He is liberal on immigration and always has been.
Unlike his predecessor.
As I’ve said before Johnson is
no Trump despite the latter’s attempts to embarrass him with close comparisons.
An amnesty makes a lot of sense.

[Pete65]

Yes, a good idea.

[Old_Geezer]

I can't think of a single politician that I agree with their view on everything.
Not keen on the setting of a rule that says, stay out of sight for 15 years and we'll ignore what you've done. (Don't much care for policies pushing for GM either.)
But one has to take in the overall picture. We need Brexit sorted, we can petition regarding other aims/policies mooted. Individual illegal immigrants can try to make a case for staying when the authorities have finally caught them.

[ToraToraTora]

yes, sensible, as YMB says if they've self supported for 15 years then they are not a drain.

[gulliver1]

Little bit of pot and kettle here , Boris was Born in the USA .

[Zacs-Master]

Sounds like they’d all have to be investigated to prove their eligibility. Anyone know who would be doing this and/or how long it would take?

[youngmafbog]

Eh? ^^^^^

[Zacs-Master]

But he doesn’t want to reside in the US, gulliver. Do you see the difference?

[Fatalbertfixer]

No,it will just encourage more people to try it.

[youngmafbog]

True ZM, but the cost of that is minimal and is effectively repaid by them paying tax in the future and if they have remained self sufficient for 15 years there is a good chance many of them will excel if they no longer have to be hidden.

It does go against my principles but I am also not one to cut my nose off. Sometimes you just have to be pragmatic about things.

[Old_Geezer]

One must be "self supporting " illegally or they'd be found. We are already overpopulated so they will increase demand and therefore be a drain. Set the precedent and you just encourage further waves of illegal immigrants. It makes little sense, it's just an attempt to stop spending money investigating and returning but instead storing up greater problems for the future.

[237SJ]

I would agree with it if the door to illegals is then closed afterwards. My friend was telling me the other day that she volunteers in a centre which helps asylum seekers etc. There are three 'overstay' Nigerian ladies who turn up every day and help themselves to the free lunch for the needier people. Everybody knows they are illegals but are they being rounded up and sent away? No. They get fed instead. The trouble with an amnestry or illegals is that there are plenty more where they came from.

[youngmafbog]

Fat Albert. They would have to remain hidden for 15 years. And with no freebies or medical care etc. Thats no mean feat!

I dont think it will 'encourage' many.

[ichkeria]

The door to “illegals” is always closed by definition.
Registered asylum seekers aren’t illegal. You might disagree with them being here but that’s not the same thing ..

[Sqad]

I am a bit concerned here, as the key word in illegal immigrants is "illegal" and they have remained in the UK for 15 years.
That doesn't make them "good eggs" or law abiding citizens, it just makes them clever and innovative.
I bet many are using the NHS, roads, benefits etc already and not paying taxes.
How many are child traffickers,terrorists or hardened criminals.
I am not sure that legalising them is the answer.

[Gromit]

A sensible change of Policy from Johnson, and the ditching of the pledge to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands is also welcome.

Obviously with the caveat that it must be done in a way so as to not encourage new illegal immigrants.

[Zacs-Master]

‘but the cost of that is minimal’

How or why do you know that?