Home Office says nearly 60,000 people deported from UK or left voluntarily since 2024 election

Labour Government's Tough Stance on Immigration Leads to Record High Deportations, Critics Say

A staggering 60,000 unauthorized migrants and convicted criminals have been removed or deported from the UK since Labour took office, according to the Home Office. The figure is the highest in a decade, with 15,200 people being forcibly ejected from the country during this period due to immigration status issues.

The department's statement revealed that deportation numbers of foreign national offenders increased by 32%, with over 8,700 individuals being sent abroad under Labour's rule. In contrast, nearly 43,000 people left voluntarily after being informed they were in the UK without proper authorization.

Critics say the Home Office's approach is misguided and based on "harmful stereotypes" equating migration with crime. Praxis CEO Minnie Rahman stated that many individuals labeled as "foreign national offenders" have lived in the UK for most of their lives, having a legitimate right to reside there. She described the government's stance as "unjust, divisive, and deeply damaging."

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants' spokesperson Griff Ferris warned that the Home Office is perpetuating cruelty and violence by pursuing mass deportations while eroding rights protections. He called it an "openly fascist rhetoric" from the home secretary.

Freedom from Torture Director Natasha Tsangarides expressed concerns about the government's proposed changes to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which could undermine global human rights standards. Chipping away at this protection could trigger a domino effect worldwide and do the dirty work of repressive regimes abroad.

As Labour's government struggles in recent polls behind Reform UK and the Tories, they have pledged to ramp up deportations, curb small boat Channel crossings, and end asylum hotel usage by the end of the parliament. The Home Office is set to introduce legislation restricting appeal routes for unauthorized migrants facing removal.

I'm really worried about what's going on with immigration in the UK . 60,000 people being deported or removed from the country since Labour took office is just insane! It's not fair on innocent people who've been living here for years and have families to care for. We should be focusing on integrating new arrivals into our communities, not kicking them out. I think this whole "harmful stereotypes" thing is just a fancy way of saying we're scared of change .

i just feel so sad when i see ppl being deported back to countries they've called home for years 60k+ ppl have been affected and its heartbreaking. isnt it our duty to help those who are already struggling?

the stats say 43k people left voluntarily, but that still sounds like a lot of ppl losing their homes and livelihoods. what if they had a chance to start anew in the uk?

its frustrating when ppl make assumptions about migrants, assuming they're all criminals or a threat i wish we could see beyond stereotypes and just give each other a fair shot at living our lives.

anyway, im worried about whats gonna happen if those proposed changes go through it feels like we're heading in the wrong direction. let's hope ppl in power realize the harm they might be causing

I'm so worried about these people being deported it's like they're already gone for years they'll be left with nothing my friend's cousin came here on a student visa and now he can't even go back home because of some mistake with his papers it's just not fair. We need to think about the human cost of this policy not just the stats or figures. What if these people have families, jobs, friends... everything waiting for them in their home country? shouldn't we be trying to help, not hurt?

omg 60k people got deported that's crazy! i think its really unfair on those ppl who are just trying to make a new life for themselves they dont deserve to be treated like this idk about the stats but deportation rates are def on the rise and its getting super scary

I'm so worried about this deportation record... 60,000 people being forced out, that's like a whole community just vanished! I think it's crazy how some people are equating migration with crime, it's not fair to blame all immigrants for the actions of a few bad apples. We should be building bridges, not walls.

The Home Office needs to rethink their approach, it's not just about numbers, it's about treating human beings with dignity and respect . These deportations are causing so much harm to families, communities, and individuals who just want to live in peace.

I'm also concerned about the proposed changes to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights... that would be a huge step back for global human rights standards . We need to protect people's rights, not erode them.

This Labour government needs to listen to critics and make some real changes . Deportations should only happen when someone has broken the law, not as a blanket policy. It's time for a more compassionate and fair approach to immigration

I'm really worried about where this is all going . I've got mates from different countries who have been living in the UK for ages, and they're all good people . But now they're just being chased out by the government because of their nationality or background . It's like we're trying to be an island again . And what about those who are genuinely seeking asylum? They deserve our help and protection . This Home Secretary is just stirring up trouble with her rhetoric...it's not fair to innocent people . We need more empathy and understanding in politics, not less .

I'm shocked by this numbers 60k people being deported or removed is crazy! I get why they're trying to tackle immigration issues, but deporting 15k people a year is still way too much imo. What's really scary is the Home Sec's 'fascist rhetoric' claim - it sounds like they're actually planning on punishing whole communities for their loved ones or backgrounds

I also can't help but think about how this affects families who have been living in the UK for years with proper docs and everything. They're not all "criminals" you know? It's just not fair to label an entire group of people based on a few bad apples

60k ppl just vanished into thin air what's really going on here? Most are low-key ppl trying to make a living or just visiting, right? Can't we have a more nuanced approach instead of painting everyone with the same brush

omg i cant believe its 60k+ ppl who got deported already deppendin on how u look at it tho, some ppl might say its a good thing but others are righteously mad that the gov is gettin harsh on immigration laws i mean, what about those people whos been livin in uk 4eva and havent done nothin wrong? just tryna live ur best life and enjoy the benefits of british society, but instead theyre facin deportation n deportation

I'm not sure about this record high deportation figure - like, what's really going on here? Is it just that more people are trying to sneak into the UK or is the government actually doing its job better at kicking them out? The stats seem kinda sketchy to me... 60,000 people gone, but how many of those were actual criminals vs. people who just lost their visas or something?

And what's up with all this "foreign national offender" business? It sounds like the government is painting an entire group of people as bad apples just because they happen to be born in another country . I mean, how many actual people are being unfairly targeted here? And what about those who've been living in the UK for years and have done nothing wrong? It's all a bit too convenient for my taste...

Ugh, come on! 60k+ people gone? That's harsh . I get it, they're saying something needs to be done about immigration, but this isn't the solution. It's all just a bunch of numbers and stats, what about the human side? These ppl are being forced out without even getting a chance to appeal or start anew. And 32% increase in deporting offenders? That's a whole lotta people getting tossed out like trash . I'm not saying immigration is perfect, but we gotta think about the impact on these individuals and their communities. We can't just label ppl as "foreign national offenders" without considering all the factors. It's just unfair and it's gonna lead to more problems down the line .

Man, this is a total disaster . I'm all for making our country's borders more secure, but 60,000 people getting deported or removed? That's just insane! We're talking about folks who might have been living in the UK for years, building lives and contributing to society. And now they're being labeled as "foreign national offenders" just because of a technicality? It's so unfair and it's not addressing the real issues at hand.

We need to be talking about how we can provide support and integration services for people who are trying to come to our country, rather than just pushing them out. And what about all the asylum seekers who are being processed through these "asylum hotels"? They're already vulnerable and in a difficult situation – do we really want to make it even harder for them? I think not.

This is exactly why we need more nuanced discussions around immigration and borders, rather than just relying on divisive rhetoric and punitive policies. We can do better, UK!