Member

Perhaps even worse still, I have been given examples by ILPA of people who have applied for citizenship in good faith since the changes to good character were introduced but who have been refused, even though they entered the country legally—nothing to do with small boats or lorries. In one case, Lana—not her real name—who was fleeing persecution, entered on a valid visit visa, which was stamped at the border. She then tried to claim asylum immediately but was advised by the asylum intake unit to wait as she did not need asylum support. After several attempts, she lodged her claim and was subsequently granted refugee status, but when she recently applied for citizenship, she was refused on the grounds that she failed to disclose her true intention to the immigration officer on entry and therefore did not present herself to the UK authorities without delay with her intention to claim asylum.