The Immigration Act 2014, which received Royal Assent on 14 May 2014, had several significant implications for immigration in the UK:
Key Provisions and Implications
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Hostile Environment Policy:
- The Act was designed to create a "hostile environment" for irregular migrants, making it difficult for them to access basic services like housing, bank accounts, and driving licenses12.
- This policy aimed to discourage irregular migration but has been criticized for affecting not only irregular migrants but also legitimate migrants and ethnic minority British citizens15.
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Restrictions on Appeals:
- The Act reduced the rights of appeal for immigration decisions, which critics argue could lead to poor decision-making by the Home Office going unchallenged14.
- This reduction in appeals was intended to speed up the removal process for those without the right to stay in the UK3.
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Access to Public Services:
- The Act aimed to prevent illegal immigrants from accessing public services and the labor market3.
- It introduced a health charge for temporary non-EU family migrants to increase their contribution to NHS costs1.
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Article 8 (ECHR) Changes:
- The Act sought to end the abuse of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which pertains to the right to family and private life3.
- This change was intended to make it easier to deport individuals who do not have a legitimate right to stay based on family ties3.
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Societal Impact:
- The Act has been linked to the Windrush scandal, where many Black British citizens faced difficulties due to their immigration status being questioned5.
- It has contributed to a broader policy environment that critics argue is hostile to racialized and migratised communities5.
Overall, the Immigration Act 2014 marked a significant shift towards stricter immigration controls in the UK, with both intended and unintended consequences for migrants and British citizens alike.
