Policy & research > Briefings > 2009 > The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009
The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009
Refugee Council briefing on the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act [September 2009]
The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 introduced significant changes which affect refugees applying for naturalisation: once these sections are brought finally into law, planned for July 2011, most people will have a qualifying period of eight years (up from 5) before they can apply for citizenship. If they do some voluntary work, known as ‘active citizenship’, then this period of time will be reduced to six years.
We opposed these changes as we believe a person recognised as a refugee by the UK should receive permanent residence from the time they receive refugee status, so that they can rebuild their lives. Refugees should not be forced to endure the uncertainty of an extended period of temporary leave before they can become British citizens.
On the positive side arrangements now have to be in place for the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) to safeguard the welfare of children, bringing them in line with all other public bodies that have contact with children. This is long overdue.
