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Border controls shake-up set out Border controls shake-up set out
(about 3 hours later)
All visitors to Britain requiring a visa are now having their fingerprints taken in a bid to control illegal immigration, the Home Office has said.All visitors to Britain requiring a visa are now having their fingerprints taken in a bid to control illegal immigration, the Home Office has said.
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said the new system, completed three months ahead of schedule, has already spotted 500 cases of identity swapping.Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said the new system, completed three months ahead of schedule, has already spotted 500 cases of identity swapping.
In a wide-ranging speech, he outlined 10 key changes to the UK's border controls to be implemented in 2008.In a wide-ranging speech, he outlined 10 key changes to the UK's border controls to be implemented in 2008.
They provide a "compassionate" way of getting "stronger borders", he said.They provide a "compassionate" way of getting "stronger borders", he said.
Cost savingsCost savings
Under the new rules, anyone applying for a visa must submit to a digital finger scan - the 21st century equivalent of the old ink fingerprints - and a full-face digital photograph.Under the new rules, anyone applying for a visa must submit to a digital finger scan - the 21st century equivalent of the old ink fingerprints - and a full-face digital photograph.
BORDER CONTROLS ACTION PLAN Check fingerprints before a visa is issued. To be brought in within 15 daysSpot fines for employers who do not make right-to-work checks, within 60 daysIntroduce a new points system for managing migration, within 80 daysIntroduce a single border force and police-like powers for frontline staff, within 100 daysConfirm number of foreign national prisoners deported in 2008 exceeds 2007, within 180 daysActivate powers to automatically deport foreign national prisoners, within 200 daysExpand detention capacity within 300 daysBegin issuing compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals who want to stay, within 300 daysCount foreign nationals in and out of the country by ChristmasWithin 360 days to make and enforce 60% asylum decisions within six monthsBORDER CONTROLS ACTION PLAN Check fingerprints before a visa is issued. To be brought in within 15 daysSpot fines for employers who do not make right-to-work checks, within 60 daysIntroduce a new points system for managing migration, within 80 daysIntroduce a single border force and police-like powers for frontline staff, within 100 daysConfirm number of foreign national prisoners deported in 2008 exceeds 2007, within 180 daysActivate powers to automatically deport foreign national prisoners, within 200 daysExpand detention capacity within 300 daysBegin issuing compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals who want to stay, within 300 daysCount foreign nationals in and out of the country by ChristmasWithin 360 days to make and enforce 60% asylum decisions within six months
It will apply to 133 countries, which account for three quarters of the world's population, and involve fingerprints being checked against UK databases.It will apply to 133 countries, which account for three quarters of the world's population, and involve fingerprints being checked against UK databases.
The rollout of the system was due to be completed by April, but Mr Byrne said it had been finished three months early and several million pounds under budget.The rollout of the system was due to be completed by April, but Mr Byrne said it had been finished three months early and several million pounds under budget.
"The public wants stronger borders," he said. "They want us to shut down the causes of illegal immigration and hold newcomers to account, deporting rule breakers where necessary."The public wants stronger borders," he said. "They want us to shut down the causes of illegal immigration and hold newcomers to account, deporting rule breakers where necessary.
"They want a compassionate system, which makes and enforces decisions fast when we have obligations to honour - and lets those we need contribute to Britain as long as they speak English, pay tax and obey the law. "They want a compassionate system, which makes and enforces decisions fast when we have obligations to honour - and lets those we need contribute to Britain as long as they speak English, pay tax and obey the law."
"My goal, therefore, in 2008 is as ambitious as it is urgent. There are four themes to our work: protection, prevention, accountability and compassion. One million people have given their biometric fingerprints so far. Of those 10,000 visa applicants were shown to have been fingerprinted in the UK before, in connection with immigration cases or asylum applications.
"By Christmas the system will look and feel different. Every month the public will be able to see us not talking about change, but delivering on our 10 point plan for change." Among other measures in the 10-point plans are fines of up to £10,000 for employers who negligently hire illegal immigrants. Bosses could also face up to two years in prison.
One million people have given their biometric fingerprints so far, with 10,000 visa applicants identified who have previously been fingerprinted in the UK in connection with immigration cases or asylum applications. 'A bit rich'
Shadow home secretary David Davis welcomed the introduction of biometric visas - but said without a "dedicated UK border police force" borders would remain vulnerable.
On the fines for employers, he added: "It is a bit rich for the government to criticise businesses when the Home Office itself enjoys Crown immunity from prosecution in this area and has on several occasions been caught employing illegal immigrants."
Mr Byrne's milestones have taken a scenic detour around these inconvenient facts Nigel FarageUKIP leader
Ministers are also consulting on plans to overhaul how marriage and short term visas are issued.Ministers are also consulting on plans to overhaul how marriage and short term visas are issued.
And Mr Byrne said the plan is to increase the number of foreign prisoners being deported from the record 4,200 non-British criminals removed from the UK after serving their sentences in 2007.And Mr Byrne said the plan is to increase the number of foreign prisoners being deported from the record 4,200 non-British criminals removed from the UK after serving their sentences in 2007.
UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said the government were "getting tougher" on immigration - but said as the new controls would not apply to EU citizens, millions of people still had the right to come to Britain and use its public services.
"Mr Byrne's milestones have taken a scenic detour around these inconvenient facts," he said.
"In reality, all they have done, and all the Tories are proposing to do, is make it harder for non-whites to come into Britain."