Migrants making false domestic abuse claims to stay in UK, BBC investigation finds

Migrants making false domestic abuse claims to stay in UK, BBC investigation finds

A BBC investigation has uncovered that some migrants are using fabricated domestic abuse claims to prolong their stay in the UK. These individuals are taking advantage of a government initiative designed to assist genuine victims of abuse in securing permanent residency more swiftly than through other immigration pathways, such as asylum. Legal professionals warn that the Home Office’s insufficient verification processes permit these claims with minimal proof, leaving unsuspecting British partners in disrupted lives.

The scheme, known as the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession, allows temporary visa holders in UK partnerships to apply for a special status. This process has become a target for exploitation, with migrants often relying on their British partners for essential support like housing and sustenance. If approved, they gain three months to remain in the UK and later apply for indefinite leave to stay, granting them the right to live, work, and study permanently. This route is significantly quicker than traditional methods, which require at least five years of residency.

During an undercover operation, a BBC reporter met Eli Ciswaka, an immigration adviser based in London. He explained how he helps clients fabricate domestic abuse stories. “What evidence are you going to use because she doesn’t hit me or anything so there’s no domestic violence,” the reporter asked.

“Orally,” Ciswaka replied. “You two have been having an argument and she’s been telling you things like: ‘Remember, I’m the one who brought you here’ – those kind of things.”

Ciswaka, who runs Corporate Immigration UK, regularly promotes the concession on social media, highlighting his success in helping clients navigate the system through false allegations.

One example involves a British mother who left her male partner after he was reported for rape. She was then accused of domestic abuse by him, a claim she insists is untrue. The false accusation enabled him to retain residency in the UK, avoiding deportation to Pakistan. While the allegations remain unproven, the partner used them to secure his status. The number of such claims has surged by over 50% in three years, with more than 5,500 applications now filed annually. Experts highlight concerns about the ease with which these rules can be manipulated, urging closer scrutiny of the system.