Migrants making false domestic abuse claims to stay in UK, BBC investigation finds
Migrants making false domestic abuse claims to stay in UK, BBC investigation finds
A BBC investigation has uncovered that some migrants are fabricating domestic abuse claims to extend their stay in the UK. These individuals are leveraging rules designed to aid genuine victims of abuse, allowing them to secure permanent residency more quickly than through other pathways, such as asylum. Lawyers have noted that insufficient checks by the Home Office are enabling this exploitation, with British partners often suffering significant disruptions to their lives due to unfounded accusations.
Home Office Concession Exploited
The Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession, introduced by ministers, allows genuine abuse victims to expedite their path to permanent residency, bypassing traditional routes like asylum. This provision is meant to support those whose relationships have deteriorated due to violence or abuse, offering them a three-month window to apply for indefinite leave to remain. During this period, they can claim benefits and eventually gain the right to live, work, and study permanently in the UK.
Under the system, migrants on temporary visas who are partners of British citizens can apply for this special status. However, the process has become vulnerable to abuse, as some individuals are using it to prolong their stay. In one instance, a British mother was accused of domestic abuse by her male partner after she reported him for rape, a claim she insists is false to prevent her from returning to Pakistan.
Undercover Encounter Reveals Deceptive Tactics
In late February, a BBC undercover reporter met an immigration adviser in a London hotel, exposing a scheme where false domestic abuse claims are crafted to secure residency. The adviser, Eli Ciswaka, who runs Corporate Immigration UK, outlined how he would fabricate evidence for clients. “What evidence are you going to use because she doesn’t hit me or anything so there’s no domestic violence?” the reporter asked.
“Orally,” Ciswaka replied. “You two have had arguments, and she’s told you things like: ‘Remember, I’m the one who brought you here.’ These phrases are used to create a narrative of abuse.”
Ciswaka claimed he could generate a compelling story for clients to present to the Home Office, enabling them to obtain indefinite leave to remain. The number of domestic abuse-based residency applications has surged to over 5,500 annually—a 50% increase in just three years—raising alarms about the system’s susceptibility to exploitation.
