Book Description
The UK Border Agency and their predecessors have consistently generated a large number of complaints to the Ombudsman, not just in terms of the number of complaints received, but also the number of complaints accepted for investigation and the high proportion which are upheld. The complaints are mostly from people in this country who are facing long delays awaiting a decision on their application to the Agency. Applicants ought to be told what to expect and be safe and properly supported while awaiting a decision and that decision ought to be 'fast and fair'. Delays by the Agency in deciding such applications mean that people who should be given permission to stay are often left unable to support themselves and uncertain as to their future; and those who should be removed remain here, with their chances of eventually being allowed to stay increasing because of the Agency's delay. The Agency's biggest problem is the huge backlog of old asylum applications which has built up over a number of years, leaving hundreds of thousands of applicants waiting for years for a final decision. This report contains summaries of 11 cases which are illustrative of the complaints referred to the Parliamentary Ombudsman about the UK Border Agency. They involve applications for asylum; as well as the Agency's core immigration and nationality work, and applications for residence cards, which confirm rights under European law.
