Undocumented immigrants in the UK granted squatters rights

United Kingdom, 16th May: A large number of immigrants have been provided with legal rights to stay in the UK with the only condition being that they have been in the UK illegally for a period of 14 years.

According to available figures, there are around 9,000 immigrants staying in the UK without legal rights to do so.

And they seem to be lucky enough to take advantage of this rule that provides them UK permanent residence for staying hidden in the UK for a period of 14 years.

Squatter rights mean same rights as UK citizen—Getting squatter rights in the UK means getting same rights as any UK citizen is entitled to in the UK. These rights include becoming eligible for welfare state and working rights even for those staying in the UK without legal documents for one and a half decade.

Another wonderful opportunity which nearly 9,000 undocumented immigrants in the UK will be granted is the ability to make application for a UK passport.

22,600 undocumented immigrants in the UK get right to indefinite stay in the UK—Apart from 9,000 undocumented immigrants in the UK, around 22,600 UK immigrants living lawfully in the UK for a period of ten years have been provided with indefinite leave to stay in the UK although they were not on UK visas resulting to settlement rights here.

UK immigration system accused of loopholes---These official figures were revealed that the UK immigration had been unsuccessful to curb growing number of undocumented immigrants in the nation.

According to chief inspector of UKBA (UK Border Agency), John Vine, the UK immigration officials were found to be lacking in required action even though there has been several reports of immigration abuse by the public.

Law granting squatter rights called slow amnesty--The move, under which undocumented immigrants get rights to stay in the UK and get access to welfare rights, was introduced way back in the year 2003 by Labor government.

Chairman of Migrationwatch UK, Sir Andrew Green, has labeled the law as equivalent to slow motion amnesty. He added that there is an immediate need for a review of such an act since there seems to be no logic for granting permanent residence to any undocumented immigrant along with full welfare state benefits just for the sake that he had been staying in the UK hidden for a period of 14 years, he asserted.