Nigel Farage’s plan to deport hundreds of thousands of legal migrants in border overhaul

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is set to announce plans to deport hundreds of thousands of legal migrants in a move that would shatter the UK’s current border system

Nigel Farage is poised to unveil radical plans that would boot out hundreds of thousands of legal migrants in a dramatic overhaul of Britain’s immigration framework.

The Reform UK leader is preparing to announce proposals forcing all migrants with permanent residency to reapply for visas under stricter criteria demanding higher wages and superior English language abilities, according to The Telegraph.

The party would also tear up existing legislation to prevent foreign nationals from accessing Britain’s benefits system.

Reform insists the dramatic restructuring would cut costs by £234bn across each migrant’s lifetime.

The revelation emerges as Britain faces accusations of presenting a ‘gift to China and Russia’ by undermining UK influence abroad, a fresh report suggests, reports the Express.

In The Telegraph, Zia Yusuf, Reform’s policy director, disclosed the alterations would result in “hundreds of thousands of people having to apply and ultimately losing their settled status in the UK” through a phased approach crafted to prevent economic disruption.

He declared: “Many of those who will lose their leave to remain are entirely dependent on the welfare state and will leave voluntarily upon losing access to benefits.

“Those that don’t will be subject to immigration enforcement as part of our mass deportation programme.”

Farage takes aim at Boris Johnson’s migration record.

The announcement kicks off Reform’s renewed attack on what they’ve dubbed the “Boriswave” – 3.8 million individuals who arrived in the UK post-Brexit under relaxed regulations introduced by Boris Johnson’s government. Farage will raise concerns that “Boriswave” migrants will become eligible for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in January, granting them permanent access to the NHS and welfare benefits that he describes as “catastrophic.”

The Reform leader will pledge to scrap ILR entirely within 100 days of his party taking control, compelling economic migrants to seek visas under stricter terms.

The Government declines to release data revealing how many migrants possess ILR status, but officials approved settlement for another 163,353 individuals in the year to June 2025 – rising 18 per cent from the previous year. The overall figure could exceed one million.

Sir Keir Starmer faces criticism over his “one in, one out” migration agreement with France, which has succeeded in deporting merely three individuals thus far.

The Prime Minister has pledged to reduce net migration amongst legal arrivals to the UK, which fell last year to 431,000 but stays considerably above pre-Brexit figures.

The declaration comes after one of Britain’s largest Right-wing demonstrations, where approximately 100,000 protesters led by Tommy Robinson marched through London shouting anti-migration chants.

Existing system faces complete transformation

Under current regulations, foreign nationals may seek indefinite leave to remain following five years in the UK, then transform their settled status to citizenship after a further 12 months. But Reform’s proposals would compel migrants to renew their visas every five years, meet salary requirements exceeding the current £35,800 threshold for skilled workers, and endure a seven-year wait before being eligible to apply for British citizenship.

Candidates would be required to demonstrate professional-standard English proficiency and show “good character” through spotless criminal histories. Those spending more than 90 days abroad or claiming state support would be barred from staying in the country.

In contrast to existing arrangements, Reform’s proposed worker visa would strip settled migrants of welfare entitlements or free NHS treatment, which the party claims would deliver savings “well in excess of £230bn” across the typical claimant’s lifespan.

Yusuf cautioned that half of Boriswave migrants and their families remain unemployed, spawning a “financial disaster” for the UK as 800,000 individuals become entitled to claim benefits next year.

Proclaiming the “era of cheap foreign labour is over,” he continued: “Our nation is proud, resourceful, and resilient, but we have been suffocated by a political class that continues to betray the British people.

“For too long, the Tories and Labour have rolled out the red carpet for mass unskilled immigration, turning Britain into a food bank for the world.”

Trump-style visa charges considered

The strategy echoes recent curbs on economic migration in the US by Donald Trump, who has unveiled intentions to impose $100,000 (£74,000) charges for skilled worker visa applications. Yusuf has been charged with crafting Reform’s policy blueprint ahead of the next election, which the party anticipates could arrive as early as 2027.

Reform currently outpaces both Labour and the Conservatives by over 12 points in polling data, and appears poised to secure additional seats in local and devolved assemblies come next May.

The party’s immigration policy unveiling comes after condemnation of economic migration frameworks under Johnson, including broadsides from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.

Initial figures on benefit recipients’ nationality, released by the Home Office in July, revealed that between 15 and 17 per cent of Universal Credit claimants are migrants.

Labour has indicated plans to “strengthen the system” by extending the residency requirement for indefinite leave to remain by double the current timeframe, though these regulations remain unchanged.

Business worries over labour shortfalls

Reform’s proposals are expected to draw fire from enterprises reliant on overseas workers for cost-effective labour.

The party states it would launch a fresh “Acute Skills Shortage Visa” to expedite migrants for industries experiencing severe staffing gaps, though any company backing such permits must fund training for a British worker in identical capabilities.

Affluent foreign business leaders would continue to be permitted settlement in the UK, receiving fresh “golden” permits demanding investment in Britain’s economy.

A Government spokesperson declared: “People here illegally rightly do not get anything from our benefits system.

“Foreign nationals usually have to wait five years to claim Universal Credit and we’re looking at increasing this to 10 years.

“We inherited a broken welfare system and spiralling benefits bill. That’s why we’re taking action and reforming the system and have seen the proportion of Universal Credit payments to foreign nationals fall since last July.”

A Government spokesman stated: “People here illegally rightly do not get anything from our benefits system.

“Foreign nationals usually have to wait five years to claim Universal Credit and we’re looking at increasing this to 10 years.

“We inherited a broken welfare system and spiralling benefits bill. That’s why we’re taking action and reforming the system and have seen the proportion of Universal Credit payments to foreign nationals fall since last July.”