Bulgaria has been added to the United Kingdom’s “Deport Now, Appeal Later” programme, a policy allowing the removal of foreign nationals with criminal convictions before their legal appeals are resolved.
The decision, confirmed by Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) Horizont, places Bulgaria among 15 newly listed countries, with Latvia as the only other European state on the updated roster.
The scheme, first introduced by the former Conservative government, has now been expanded by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour administration.
The Home Office said the move aims to prevent foreign offenders from “exploiting the UK immigration system” and to accelerate deportations.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper explained that while the right to appeal remains, individuals will no longer be permitted to remain in the UK during the process.
Instead, appeals will be conducted from their home countries, typically via secure video link. “We are determined to maintain public safety while ensuring the immigration system cannot be abused,” Cooper stated.
The expansion increases the number of countries covered by the scheme from eight to 23. Newly added nations include Canada, India and Australia, alongside Bulgaria.
Previously, offenders could remain in the UK for prolonged periods—sometimes years—while awaiting the outcome of their appeals, often contributing to overcrowding in the prison system.
Ministers argue that the changes will help relieve pressure on Britain’s jails, which are already under significant strain. Official figures for June 2025 show that Albanians make up the largest group of foreign nationals in prisons in England and Wales, with 1,193 inmates. They are followed by citizens of Ireland, India and Pakistan.
Supporters of the expansion say that faster removals will ensure resources are not wasted on housing individuals whose convictions make them ineligible to remain in the UK.
Critics, however, warn that deporting individuals before their appeals are heard could risk sending people back to countries where they face danger or injustice, particularly in cases involving disputed convictions or human rights concerns.
Bulgaria’s inclusion has drawn particular attention in Eastern Europe, with some legal experts noting that the country’s citizens now face immediate removal if convicted of crimes in Britain, regardless of pending appeals. The Bulgarian government has not yet issued a formal response to the UK’s announcement.
The Home Office maintains that safeguards are in place to ensure that removals do not violate international obligations. Cases involving asylum claims or credible fears of persecution will still be considered separately.
The “Deport Now, Appeal Later” policy remains a contentious part of Britain’s immigration strategy. While its supporters see it as a necessary tool for maintaining public order, opponents argue it undermines due process and fairness.
With the expansion now in effect, thousands of foreign nationals could find themselves contesting appeals from thousands of miles away.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members