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 a growing trend where migrants fabricate domestic abuse claims to extend their stay in the UK. These individuals are using a government policy designed to assist real victims of abuse to gain permanent residency faster than through other routes, such as asylum applications. According to legal experts, the Home Office’s current verification process is insufficient, allowing false accusations to be accepted with minimal evidence. This has led to significant disruptions for British partners, who often find their lives altered by unproven allegations.

The Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession, a policy introduced to streamline the process for genuine victims, is now being exploited by some migrants. By establishing relationships or marriages with British citizens, they can apply for a special status that grants them temporary permission to remain in the country. This period, typically three months, is used to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which permits permanent residency. This route is considerably quicker than standard visa pathways, where a minimum of five years is usually required for such a status.

Undercover Reporting Reveals Fraudulent Tactics

During an investigation, a BBC undercover reporter was approached by a man from Pakistan who had left his British wife for a mistress. His visa was tied to his marriage, and separation would force him to return to his home country. The reporter, posing as a client, was advised by Eli Ciswaka, an immigration adviser from Corporate Immigration UK, to pretend the wife was abusive. Ciswaka, who frequently promotes the domestic abuse concession online, outlined a plan to fabricate evidence for the Home Office.

“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 later explained the strategy in more detail. He would frame the case to convince authorities that the relationship had deteriorated due to abuse, even when no physical violence had occurred. The reporter, however, was aware they were investigating how advisers help migrants break the law by creating false narratives.

Rising Numbers and Real-Life Consequences

Since the policy’s introduction, over 5,500 people have claimed residency through domestic abuse concessions annually—a 50% increase in just three years. In one instance, a British woman who had previously accused her male partner of rape was later falsely accused of domestic abuse by him. This claim, which was never proven, allowed the partner to avoid deportation to Pakistan.

Such cases highlight concerns about the policy’s susceptibility to abuse. While intended to protect victims, it has become a tool for migrants to secure residency by manipulating relationships. The BBC’s findings reveal how both men and women are being encouraged to fabricate abuse allegations, often with the support of legal professionals who profit from the process.