UK Government Amends Bill Limiting Power to Deport Underage Illegal Immigrants

A group of people thought to be illegal immigrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, on March 29, 2023. Gareth Fuller/PA Media

The UK government agreed to limit its ability to deport underage illegal immigrants in a bid to see off a Tory rebellion against its new Illegal Migration Bill.

As the bill is set to be discussed in Parliament this week, the Home Office stated on April 23 that the power will only be used in “very limited circumstances.” It noted that the power to detain unaccompanied underage illegal immigrants will only be used “in exceptional circumstances.”