Legal advisers help migrants pose as gay to get asylum, undercover BBC investigation finds

Legal Advisers Help Migrants Pretend to Be Gay for Asylum, BBC Uncover Investigation Reveals

A hidden sector of law firms and immigration consultants is levying substantial fees to assist migrants in fabricating gay identities for asylum purposes, according to a BBC investigation. The findings stem from a covert inquiry that exposed how individuals with expiring visas are supplied with false narratives and coached to gather fabricated proof, such as letters, images, and medical records, to bolster their claims of persecution in Pakistan or Bangladesh.

Asylum System Under Scrutiny

The UK’s asylum framework grants refuge to those unable to return home due to risk. However, this BBC report highlights a growing trend of legal professionals exploiting the process, enabling migrants to claim asylum under the guise of sexual orientation. This group now accounts for 35% of all applications, which surpassed 100,000 in 2025.

In response to the report, the Home Office stated: “Individuals attempting to manipulate the system will be held accountable, including through deportation.” The investigation revealed that many migrants seeking this route are not recent arrivals but those whose student, work, or tourist permits have lapsed.

Undercover Insights into the Process

The BBC’s inquiry began with undercover reporters posing as international students from Pakistan and Bangladesh, whose visas were nearing expiration. They attended a gathering at a community centre in Beckton, east London, where over 175 people assembled for a meeting hosted by Worcester LGBT, a group claiming to support genuine LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.

Despite the group’s assertion, attendees openly admitted to the reporter that their true intent was not to flee persecution. One man, Fahar, said: “Most of the people here are not gays.” Another, Zeeshan, added: “Nobody is a gay here. Not even 1% are gay. Not even 0.01% are gay.”

The reporter’s journey to the meeting started in late February when they contacted Mazedul Hasan Shakil, a paralegal at Law & Justice Solicitors in Birmingham and London. Shakil, also founder of Worcester LGBT, used the group’s website to promote his legal services. During an initial call, he claimed the applicant had to face real persecution to qualify for asylum.

Concocting a Gay Asylum Narrative

Shortly after, the reporter received a call from Tanisa, who spoke in Urdu. She enthusiastically outlined a plan to secure asylum on gay grounds, insisting the applicant needed to create a compelling story. When the reporter confessed they weren’t gay, Tanisa replied: “Listen to me. There is nobody who is real. The only way out is through this method.”

That evening, the reporter met Tanisa at her residence in Forest Gate, east London. She emphasized that the asylum route was the sole viable option, explaining it was based on human rights and referred to as a “gay case” or “same-sex” claim. “You are the one who has to take the exam,” she said, sitting on the edge of a bed. “I’ll prepare everything for you, but ultimately, it’s your responsibility.”

Within 45 minutes, Tanisa detailed how the reporter would need to memorize a fabricated tale for their Home Office interview. The process, she claimed, required meticulous preparation to convince officials of the applicant’s genuine fear of returning to their homeland.