The UK could suspend visas for countries that refuse to cooperate on migrant returns, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has warned. Speaking at a high-level Five Eyes meeting in London, Mahmood said her “top priority” is securing Britain’s borders and cutting down on illegal migration, particularly small boat crossings in the English Channel.
On Saturday, Mahmood’s first full day in office, 1,097 people crossed the Channel, one of the highest daily totals on record. According to Home Office data, more than 30,000 people have already arrived in the UK by small boat this year—up 37% compared to the same period in 2024. Mahmood described the figures as “utterly unacceptable.”
Visa Suspensions Under Consideration
Mahmood said Britain, along with its Five Eyes allies, is exploring tougher measures against countries unwilling to take back citizens who have no right to remain in the UK.
“For countries that do not play ball, we have been talking about taking much more coordinated action between the Five Eyes countries,” she explained. “For us, that means the possibility of cutting visas in the future to show that we expect cooperation.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously indicated support for a “transactional” visa policy, linking visa access to how well foreign governments cooperate with the UK on deportations and asylum seeker returns.
Talks with Five Eyes Security Leaders
The comments came as Mahmood hosted US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, and New Zealand Minister Judith Collins. The talks focused on tackling illegal immigration, people smuggling, online child sexual abuse, and the spread of opioids.
The Five Eyes alliance, made up of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, is one of the world’s most established intelligence-sharing partnerships. Mahmood said closer collaboration with these allies would strengthen UK border security.
Tougher Immigration Measures Expected
Mahmood, formerly justice secretary, was appointed home secretary in Sir Keir Starmer’s weekend cabinet reshuffle, replacing Yvette Cooper. Her promotion is widely seen as signalling Labour’s intent to adopt a firmer stance on illegal immigration.
Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the government is also considering expanding the use of military sites and other types of accommodation to house asylum seekers, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on hotels.
