Mahmood threatens Eritrea with complete visa ban unless it takes back small boat migrants and criminals
Shabana Mahmood, who warned Eritrea it faces a complete visa ban unless it accepts the return of its nationals arriving by small boat.An overcrowded inflatable dinghy on the English Channel, of the kind used by migrants crossing from France — Eritreans made up 18% of all small boat arrivals in the year to June, the single largest nationality.
Eritreans made up 18% of all small boat arrivals in the year to June — the single largest nationality — yet Eritrea has flatly refused to accept the return of its nationals, prompting Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to issue her starkest ultimatum yet. Mahmood has stripped Eritrean diplomats of fast-track visa access and banned them from travelling more than 60km outside London without Foreign Office permission. She warned a total visa ban on all Eritrean citizens would follow unless the government cooperates.
Mahmood's message to Asmara was blunt: 'Take back your nationals or face a complete ban on your citizens entering the UK.'
Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo all caved to similar pressure in 2025, opening the door to removal of more than 3,000 of their nationals.
Mahmood warned she 'will not hesitate' to impose the same measures on any other country refusing to cooperate with returns.
