Disproportionate targeting of Jamaicans for deportation from UK, data suggests.
People from Caribbean countries such as Jamaica appear to be disproportionately targeted for deportation from the UK if they commit crimes, according to Home Office data obtained by the Guardian following a year-long freedom of information battle.
One pressure group said the high percentage of Jamaican nationals deported was particularly glaring given their greater likelihood of having family ties in the UK, and warned that it could further erode the trust of people affected by the Windrush scandal.
One pressure group said the high percentage of Jamaican nationals deported was particularly glaring given their greater likelihood of having family ties in the UK, and warned that it could further erode the trust of people affected by the Windrush scandal.
For Jamaican nationals this proportion rose to 75%, however, despite the much greater likelihood of their having significant ties to the UK. For other former British colonies in the Caribbean, such as Trinidad and Tobago, and St Lucia, the rates were higher still.
The statistics also showed that 90% of Nigerian nationals were deported, and 76% for those from Ghana. For Albanians, the rate was 90%, and 84% for Vietnamese nationals.
The statistics also showed that 90% of Nigerian nationals were deported, and 76% for those from Ghana. For Albanians, the rate was 90%, and 84% for Vietnamese nationals.
Deportations, particularly to Jamaica, have become an increasingly contentious issue in recent months, with some of those removed having lived in the UK since they were children. Under a deal agreed late last year between the UK and Jamaica, the Home Office will no longer remove Jamaican nationals who first moved to the UK before the age of 12.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The public rightly expects us to remove those who have no right to be in the UK, including dangerous foreign criminals. These figures show the ongoing work to remove those who have received at least a 12-month sentence in the UK for committing crimes such as sexual offences, drug dealing and arson.
“We regularly operate charter flights, but also use other available routes such as regularly scheduled flights to remove criminals from the UK – we do not target specific countries. Returns, including deportations as well as voluntary departures, to Jamaica constituted less than 1% of all returns between January 2015 and March 2020.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The public rightly expects us to remove those who have no right to be in the UK, including dangerous foreign criminals. These figures show the ongoing work to remove those who have received at least a 12-month sentence in the UK for committing crimes such as sexual offences, drug dealing and arson.
“We regularly operate charter flights, but also use other available routes such as regularly scheduled flights to remove criminals from the UK – we do not target specific countries. Returns, including deportations as well as voluntary departures, to Jamaica constituted less than 1% of all returns between January 2015 and March 2020.”
