§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether illegal immigrants who refuse to disclose their country of origin can claim, and be granted, political asylum; and, if not, whether it is possible for them to be deported. [HL2016]
§ Lord BachThe United Kingdom is a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Under the Convention, the United Kingdom has an obligation to consider all 131WA applications for asylum made in the United Kingdom or at its ports. The Secretary of State will, therefore, consider all claims for political asylum made in this country.
Where an applicant refuses to disclose his nationality, this will be taken into consideration when the claim is considered. However, failure to disclose his nationality may affect the assessment of the applicant's credibility and ultimately the overall decision whether or not to grant asylum.
Under the Immigration Act 1971, an illegal entrant may be removed to the country of which he is a citizen or national or to any country or territory to which there is reason to believe he will be admitted. Provided the latter condition is satisfied, it is still possible to remove someone who is unwilling to disclose his country of origin.