Shocking revelations have come to light of Pakistani and Bangladeshi citizens changing their identities by misusing the asylum system of the United Kingdom (UK). According to an undercover BBC News report published on 14 April, many Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals try to seek asylum by passing off themselves as ‘gay’.
The report claims that some immigration consultants and law firms are training migrants to fabricate fake stories and prepare false evidence for huge sums of money. These people apply for asylum in Britain claiming that they would be in danger if they return to their country because of their sexual identity.
The BBC reports, “The UK asylum system protects people who cannot return to their home countries because their lives may be in danger, such as in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh where homosexuality is illegal.” But it was also said that this system is being systematically exploited by legal consultants who extort fees from migrants who want to stay in the country.
Investigation revealed that many of these applicants did not come illegally but were people on student, work or tourist visas whose visas had expired. According to the report, the total asylum applications in the UK will cross 1 lakh in 2025, of which about 35% are said to be related to Pakistani and Bangladeshi homosexuality cases.
The BBC’s undercover report also revealed that some consultants were charging thousands of pounds. In one case a firm demanded up to £7,000 and claimed the chances of the application being rejected were very low. Reporters were advised to fabricate medical records by falsely claiming to have depression or being HIV positive. In some cases, advice was even given to arrange for a fake homosexual partner.
An immigration consultant claimed that she has been helping in such cases for the last 17 years. Another lawyer offered help in applying as ‘gay’ or ‘atheist’ for £1,500, while a further £2,000 to £3,000 was demanded for preparing fake evidence.
In one case, an undercover reporter was told that after getting asylum, he could invite his wife to the UK and she could also falsely claim to be a ‘lesbian’.
The investigation also revealed the use of fake news websites, staged protests and fabricated personal stories to make the application appear genuine.
According to UK Home Office data, the highest number of asylum applications based on sexual identity in 2023 came from Pakistan, accounting for about 42%, followed by Bangladeshi citizens.
Responding to the revelations, the Home Office said, “Anyone found attempting to abuse the system will be punished to the fullest extent of the law, including deportation from the UK.” Labor MP Jo White called for tougher action, saying: “It is vital that the Government takes action against them… This kind of evidence goes straight to the police.”
Conservative leader Chris Philp criticized the asylum system, saying, “The whole system is rotten. The asylum system has to be completely changed…” The BBC has indicated that this is the first part of its investigation and there may be more revelations in this matter in the coming days.
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