LONDON, CMC – Guyana is the lone Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country named among 15 new countries under the United Kingdom’s “deport now, appeal later” scheme, as the European country seeks to return foreigners who commit crimes in the UK to their homelands before they can appeal the decision.
London has also named Canada, India, and Australia to the new list, bringing the total number of participating countries to 23. The UK Home Office says more could be added in the future.
The other countries named are Angola, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda, and Zambia.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says the expansion of the scheme is intended to prevent foreign criminals from “exploiting” the UK’s immigration system and to fast-track their removals.
Under the new scheme, foreign nationals whose claims have been refused will be expelled from the UK and will be allowed to participate in their appeal hearings remotely from their home countries via video link.
Cooper noted that previously, offenders were able to remain in the UK “for months or even years” while their cases moved through the appeals system.
“That has to end. Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced,” she added.
The British government argues that increasing deportations will help ease the overcrowding crisis in prisons. Official figures show that prisons in England and Wales are facing significant capacity challenges, with occupancy levels nearing 100 per cent.
As of June 2025, there were 10,772 foreign offenders in UK prisons, accounting for 12.3 per cent of the total prison population.
There are 774 prisoners from the 15 newly added countries under the “deport now, appeal later” initiative, with the figures showing that, among these, Indian nationals represent the most numerous group.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy, whose parents are Guyanese, welcomed the decision and said the UK is working to increase the number of countries to which foreign criminals can be returned.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also welcomed the move, stating, “But even with this U-turn, only the Conservative Party is committed to deporting all foreign criminals.”
The British government’s new move follows an announcement by the justice secretary on Sunday of plans to deport foreign criminals immediately after they receive a custodial sentence.
Under the proposals for England and Wales, individuals given fixed-term sentences could be deported immediately and barred from re-entering the UK.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said foreign criminals would be sent “packing” if they “abuse our hospitality and break our laws.”
The government stated that the new powers—subject to Parliamentary approval—would save taxpayers money and improve public safety.
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