UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has reportedly warned that she is prepared to implement Trump-style visa bans on several countries as part of a sweeping overhaul of Britain’s immigration system.
Mahmood has told officials in Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo that citizens from these nations could be barred from entering the UK unless their governments significantly improve cooperation in taking back illegal migrants and convicted criminals.
The Home Office has identified these three countries as the least cooperative when it comes to accepting the return of their nationals.
The proposed measures come alongside Mahmood’s announcement that she intends to end what she calls the UK’s “golden ticket” for asylum seekers. As part of the reforms, individuals who enter Britain through irregular routes—such as small boat crossings or lorry arrivals—could face a 20-year wait before being eligible for permanent residency.
However, her policy agenda has been overshadowed by renewed Labour Party leadership speculation following a turbulent political week. Reports of an alleged attempt to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, including claims that Wes Streeting might be positioning himself for the top job, created internal tension.
Mahmood dismissed the rumours as “deeply mortifying” and brushed them off as political “tittle-tattle.
