Deported criminals barred on return to home countries

Published on Tuesday 19 February 2008 09:17

THE Government has admitted that foreign criminals and illegal immigrants deported by the UK are being refused entry by the country they are returned to.

The Border and Immigration Agency said it is a "tiny percentage" of the total, insisting it ensures that foreign nationals have the correct documents when they are deported.

The agency added that it was "successfully removing record numbers of people".

But some countries have turned back deported criminals and illegal immigrantsbecause of paperwork problems.

A spokesman for the agency said: "We ensure those returning have all of the appropriate documentation required to secure entry to their home country.

"We believe the number of individuals refused entry on return is a tiny percentage of the total number of individuals we remove each year."

In 2007, more than 4200 foreign national prisoners were deported, the agency said.

"By working closely with foreign Governments we are ensuring the removal of even greater numbers of illegal immigrants," the spokesman said. "The message is clear if you break our rules we will take action."