Britain introduces new immigration bill tightening asylum rules and family reunification

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has unveiled a new immigration and asylum bill that overhauls protection status, narrows family rights, and requires repayment of support.

• Mahmood announced the bill in June 2026; the House of Commons held its second reading on July 13.
• The legislation replaces the current five-year protection status with a temporary 30-month "basic protection" system, already implemented in March 2026.
• It restricts interpretation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, limiting family life to cohabiting partners, parents, and children under 18.
• In January 2026, the government rejected a petition signed by over 700,000 people calling for offshore detention of migrants, deeming the plan costly and impractical.