Chandigarh, July 24
Aware that “marriage” was a route abused most for immigration, the UK government has announced tightening of rules to prevent forced marriages. Any violation of the rules can now lead to deportation of both the sponsor and the spouse. Learning of English after entering the
UK is also being gradually made mandatory.
There has been frequent abuse of the marriage clause for immigration not only to the UK but also to Canada and other western countries. The UK thus becomes the first country to put new laws in place to check this abuse.
Complaints of forced marriages often come from South Asian communities, including Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. The forced marriage unit in the UK handles approximately 5,000 inquiries and 400 cases annually. These cases concern young British nationals at risk of being forced into marriage overseas.
The age at which someone can now apply for a marriage visa stands raised from 18 to 21. Statistics show that 30 per cent of the cases dealt with by the UK government’s forced marriage unit involved victims aged between 18 and 21, says a statement issued yesterday.
The new steps, it says, significantly strengthen the safeguards against forced marriage. The five key proposals announced include raising the age of sponsorship for a marriage visa from 18 to 21, besides introducing a power to cancel permission to stay in the UK where there is evidence that the marriage route has been abused. The new legislation also requires all sponsors to register their intention to marry overseas before they leave the UK and ensure through a code of practice that specialist teams
can identify vulnerable people at risk of forced marriage.
Home secretary Jacqui Smith, while supporting new laws, says: “Forced marriage leads to victims suffering years of physical and mental abuse, and in extreme cases unlawful imprisonment and rape.
“It has no place in our society. That is why the government is determined to do everything it can to stamp it out and to ensure that victims receive the help and support they need. That is why we are raising the age limit for visas, checking anyone entering into a marriage does so of their own free will, and demanding that those coming to the UK should also learn English.”
Now onwards, any British citizen applying to “sponsor” someone to come to the UK on marriage basis will have to declare his or her intention before leaving the UK and marry abroad. This will mean that a young person will know in advance that a marriage will take place overseas and who will be his or her prospective partner.
Tough new rules will also mean that anyone abusing the marriage visa system will be removed from the UK under a new law to remove people’s right to stay in the country.
The UK government believes that those who stay in the UK must have a good grasp of English to ensure they integrate into British life. And once they are cleared to come to the UK, they, spouses, will need to sign up an agreement to learn English. Soon after their arrival, the UKBA will check regularly whether they are fulfilling their promise. If they are not, their permission to stay may be cancelled.
British border and immigration minister Liam Byrne says: “British citizens have the right to marry whoever they choose. But we want newcomers to succeed in our society and sign up to the standards we have in common. That means freedom, not being forced to marry someone, and it means newcomers quickly acquiring a command of English, with consequences for those who break the rules.”
