In a significant policy expansion, the United Kingdom has added India to its controversial ‘Deport Now, Appeal Later’ programme, which allows foreign nationals convicted of crimes to be deported before completing the appeals process. India is among 15 new countries added to the list, increasing the total from 8 to 23.

Under the revised rules, Indian citizens convicted of crimes in the UK can now be deported back to India before they are allowed to appeal their deportation. Instead of in-person hearings, appeals will be conducted remotely via video link from abroad.

The UK Home Office states that the measure aims to prevent foreign offenders from abusing lengthy appeals to delay or avoid deportation. The government believes this policy will help reduce pressure on UK prisons, speed up removal processes, and lower costs for taxpayers.

Since July 2024, nearly 5,200 foreign criminals have been deported, marking a 14% increase compared to the previous year. The UK is currently in negotiations with additional countries to expand participation in the programme further.

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the policy, stating, “Those who commit crimes in our country must not be allowed to manipulate the system to avoid justice.” She emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence in the immigration system and ensuring swift removals of offenders.

In addition to this crackdown, the UK government’s May 2025 Immigration White Paper outlined proposed restrictions on the use of Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, which guarantees the right to a family life. The goal is to limit how often it can be cited in deportation and asylum appeal cases, particularly when used to delay removals.

The inclusion of India in the list signals a growing UK effort to strengthen border controls and enforce immigration laws, especially regarding foreign nationals involved in criminal activity. The policy has drawn criticism from human rights advocates but is being positioned by the UK government as a necessary measure to restore public trust in the immigration system.