Legal advisors are reportedly charging substantial fees to assist migrants in feigning homosexuality to prolong their stay in the UK, as revealed by an investigation conducted by the BBC.
Migrants facing visa expiration are provided with false narratives and guided on fabricating evidence such as fake letters, photos, and medical records. Subsequently, they submit asylum applications claiming to be gay and fearing persecution if they return to countries like Pakistan or Bangladesh. In response to the BBC’s findings, the Home Office stated that individuals attempting to exploit the system will be subject to legal consequences, including deportation.
Concurrently, Downing Street warned that migrants caught lying about their sexual orientation for asylum purposes will be swiftly deported from the UK. An informant disclosed intentions to bring his non-existent wife from Pakistan after successfully securing asylum by deceitfully claiming to be gay.
Undercover footage from the BBC captured a gathering for “gay and lesbian asylum seekers” in Beckton, east London, where despite purported support, some attendees openly mocked the notion of being homosexual. Attendees, including nearly 200 individuals from various locations like Wales and Birmingham, were present at the monthly event arranged by Worcester LGBT.
Furthermore, a firm offering coaching services demanded £7,000 for a guaranteed fake claim, with some advisors even boasting about arranging false claims of same-sex relationships for their clients. The organizers behind these schemes were filmed coaching clients on how to navigate Home Office interviews.
Other migrants involved in the fraudulent practices were advised to simulate mental health issues or lie about having HIV to strengthen their asylum petitions. A lawyer associated with a different company admitted to aiding asylum claims by falsifying sexual orientation or religious beliefs, with fees escalating if additional evidence was required.
A particular advisor, identified as Tanisa Khan by the BBC, was filmed at her residence asserting the asylum visa as the sole available route for obtaining legal status. She acknowledged assisting in filing fabricated claims for over 17 years, charging £2,500 initially with potential fee increases if the claim faced rejection.
In light of the report, a spokesperson from the Home Office emphasized the importance of rigorously assessing asylum claims to prevent abuse of protections meant for individuals genuinely fleeing persecution based on their sexuality. The Prime Minister’s office echoed similar sentiments, affirming severe consequences for those attempting to deceive the immigration system.
Jonathan Peddie, Executive Director of Investigations, Enforcement, and Litigation at the Solicitors Regulation Authority, emphasized the necessity for law firms to uphold professional standards, especially in sensitive areas like asylum and immigration. The SRA committed to investigating the firms mentioned in the BBC’s report and taking appropriate action against any misconduct.
The number of asylum claims exceeded 100,000 in 2025, with a significant proportion originating from individuals overstaying legal visas in the UK. Despite challenges in determining the extent of fabricated applications, regulatory bodies remain vigilant in addressing misuse and enhancing safeguards within the asylum system.