Robert Jenrick has been slammed for proposals that could see lawyers caught “coaching migrants” face sentences of up to life imprisonment.
In a statement to the House of Commons, the immigration minister told MPs the government would increase enforcement action against lawyers and legal representative who help “migrants abuse the immigrations system”.
He added: “Those lawyers found to be coaching migrants on how to remain in the country by fraudulent means will face a sentence of up to life imprisonment.”
This means lawyers charged with “assisting unlawful immigration to the UK” could face sentences on a par with or even longer than those convicted for fraud, causing death by dangerous driving or sexually assaulting a child under 13.
It follows an investigation by the Daily Mail that claimed a number of solicitors had agreed to help an undercover journalist posing as an economic migrant submit a false application in exchange for thousands of pounds.
In August, the Ministry of Justice and Home Office jointly introduced the Professional Enablers Taskforce to crackdown on “crooked” immigration lawyers who “coach illegal migrants to lie”.
But the Law Society hit back at the Taskforce, describing it as an attempt by the government to divert criticism away from the significant backlog in asylum claims.
Law Society of England and Wales deputy vice president, Richard Atkinson, said: “The government, regulators and law enforcement agencies already have the powers they need to deal with immigration advisers engaged in misconduct.
“The focus of the Home Office on a tiny minority of lawyers to which they are apparently applying considerable resources should not deflect from the fact that there remains significant backlogs in asylum claims or the unworkability of the Illegal Migration Act.”
The SNP described the task force as an “inhumane and cruel” policy from the government, accusing the home secretary of using asylum seekers to further its “culture war”.
Stuart McDonald MP, the SNP’s spokesperson for justice and immigration, said: “This announcement by the UK government is the latest in a long line of inhumane and cruel policies that create a hostile environment for asylum seekers.
“The Tories are using this announcement as part of their divisive culture war, with the victims being asylum seekers and refugees – many of whom have survived devastating conflict, famine, political or religious persecution.
“The UK government must approach all asylum seekers and refugees with compassion and empathy, offering protection and security from the moment they arrive here.”
This is not the first time the government has railed against lawyers with the head of Britain’s barristers warning that political attacks on “lefty lawyers” risks the abuse of more legal professionals.
Nick Vineall KC, the chair of the Bar Council, said the Tories had crossed a line by releasing a dossier criticising Labour for its links to Jacqueline McKenzie, a partner and immigration lawyer at Leigh Day who has represented people challenging asylum decisions.
According to the Guardian, McKenzie said she had been subjected to abuse including threats to drown her “like an asylum seeker” and to leave dead bodies at her property.
Others have since torn into Jenrick, describing the measure as disproportionate. Here’s a pick of the best reactions:
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