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In a move that has sent shockwaves through the UK's immigrant community, Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has announced a radical new policy platform aimed at a comprehensive overhaul of the country's immigration system. The central plank of the proposal is the abolition of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), a cornerstone of UK residency that has provided a pathway to citizenship for generations of immigrants.
Under the new plan, unveiled at a press conference by Mr. Farage and Reform UK's policy chief, Zia Yusuf, the existing system of ILR would be scrapped entirely. Currently, migrants can apply for ILR after five years of continuous residency. Reform's policy would replace this with a new, much stricter visa that would require renewal every five years. The new criteria for this visa are significantly more demanding: applicants would have to demonstrate a higher salary threshold, a better standard of English, and a longer residency period of seven years, up from the current five. Furthermore, the proposals would introduce tighter restrictions on bringing spouses and children to the UK and would prevent any access to public benefits, including welfare and social housing, for all non-citizens.
The most controversial and anxiety-inducing element of the plan is its retrospective nature. Mr. Yusuf has explicitly stated that the new rules would "rescind" existing settled status for many, forcing those who already have ILR to reapply under the new, stricter conditions. This has created a deep sense of dread among hundreds of thousands of individuals and families who have legally built their lives in the UK, often for decades, based on the promise of their settled status. The policy would apply particularly to what Reform UK has branded the "Boris wave" of migrants—those who entered the country under the more relaxed post-Brexit rules introduced by the previous Conservative government. Mr. Yusuf stated that this group, who are set to become eligible for ILR in January, would instead face the prospect of a precarious, temporary status.
The announcement has been met with immediate and fierce criticism. Labour and other political opponents have attacked the policy as unworkable and inhumane. A Labour source pointed to the financial claims made by Reform UK, which stated the changes would save an astronomical £234 billion—more than the entire NHS budget. The source revealed that this figure was based on an estimate from the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) think tank, which has since disowned the data, stating the figures are the subject of a dispute and "the overall cost estimates should no longer be used." This has led to accusations that Reform UK's plans are not only draconian but also based on a "half-baked" and discredited financial model.
The Human Cost: Anxiety and Fear Grip the Community
Beyond the political and economic debate, the most profound impact of Reform UK's proposals is being felt within the immigrant communities across the UK. For many, the news has triggered a wave of stress and anxiety, shattering a sense of security they had long taken for granted. The idea that their settled status could be retrospectively revoked has created a climate of fear, forcing people to question their future and the stability of their families.
Interviews with immigrants from various backgrounds reveal a deep-seated unease. "I have lived and worked in this country for 15 years," said a healthcare professional from India who wished to remain anonymous. "I have a family here, my children were born here. To think that all of that could be taken away, that I would have to prove myself all over again, is terrifying. It makes you feel like you are not welcome, that your contribution means nothing."
The rhetoric from Mr. Farage and his party, which speaks of "cleaning up the mess" and suggests immigrants are a drain on the system, has only exacerbated these fears. The proposals for a strict "welfare for UK citizens only" rule, while a government spokesperson insists that illegal immigrants already do not receive benefits and legal migrants must wait five years, adds to the perception that the far-right is targeting all non-citizens. The lack of clarity on how exactly the "rescinding" of ILR would be implemented has fueled speculation and dread. Immigrant advocacy groups and legal experts have expressed concerns about the moral and practical implications of such a policy, warning of a potential humanitarian crisis and a legal quagmire as thousands are forced into a state of limbo, not knowing if they will be able to remain in the country they call home.
