By Noah Keate
Publication Date: 2025-11-17 10:16:00
The three countries have collectively refused to take back more than 4,000 unauthorized immigrants and criminal aliens from Britain. They will have one month to start cooperating before a sliding scale of sanctions is introduced.
These would include eliminating fast-track visa services for diplomats and VIPs, and ending a ban on all citizens obtaining visas.
Mahmood said: “In Britain, we play by the rules. When I said there would be sanctions for countries that do not accept criminals and illegal immigrants, I meant it.
“My message today to foreign governments is clear: accept the return of your citizens or lose the privilege of entering our country.”
The visa bans mirror similar measures introduced by US President Donald Trump in his first term, when he imposed harsh measures on some African and Asian nations.
British Border Security Minister Alex Norris on Monday refused to rule out India being subject to similar sanctions despite the free trade agreement reached between the two nations earlier this year.
“We are looking at all our agreements with each country,” Norris told Times Radio. “If we believe we are not getting the right engagement, then of course we reserve every opportunity to step it up.”