London News

Boris Johnson to 'lead the debate' on illegal immigrant amnesty in London

Monday, 24th November 2008

Writeen by Francesca Cookney

London Mayor Boris Johnson has called for an amnesty for illegal immigrants in the capital, saying that mass deportation was both unfeasible and unlikely.

Instead the 400,000 people estimated to be living illegally in the capital should be given an '˜earned amnesty' allowing them the opportunity to obtain legal residence and work permits. To organise the safe and efficient removal of thousands of people from British shores would be a vast operation and according to Johnson, it's 'just not going to happen'.

His amnesty idea would allow individuals who have been here for five years or more to "show their commitment to this society and to this economy" to earn the right to stay. Johnson has no legal powers over British immigration policy, but has said that he wants to "lead the debate" and is even prepared to go up against those in his own party on the issue.

Both Labour and the Conservatives have opposed 'amnesty' proposals in the past, rejecting them as unworkable and expressing concern that such action would lead to increased illegal immigration, a fact that Johnson acknowledged. 'You don't want to create moral hazard, but I think you should have a system whereby people who have been here for a long time can earn a way out of the mess they're in,' he said.

He will now put himself at the forefront of a study into the feasibility of the proposals and is expected to report on its findings in about two months' time.

andy from uk
said this on 2009-01-22 22:18:04 PDT

Im in favor of giving amnesty to undocumented individuals and overstayers who are now living in the UK,take note that the US & the UK both have the same problem when it comes to Illegal migrants the only way to solve this is to take out us from the shadow of illegality and exploitation by granting us a full amnesty those who are living here 2 years more giving them proper work permits as a way of goingback to the line for citizenship.apparently we will contribute a huge amount to the UK economy this would help to solve the financial crisis the Uk is facing today.We the goverment will take an immediate action on this problem and also through the help of UKBA to keep protecting the border so no more Illegals can enter the country.thank you and more power!

Anonymous
said this on 2009-01-11 22:24:52 PDT

im all infavour of this, the whole county, the gorvnment and the Inland Revenue would all benefit. It's time some more money fuel be pumpt into the economy instead of living of tax payers hard earned cash. YOU GOT MY VOTE BORIS. GO AHEAD AND MAKE SURE IT IS EFFECTIVELY MANAGED SO IT DOESN'T GET OUT OF HAND IN THE FUTURE! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I THINK IT SHOULD BE DONE!