“There is nobody who is real.”

Series : The Root Causes of Migration 

In the UK, asylum claims based on sexual orientation or gender identity are designed to protect people fleeing persecution. However, a recent BBC undercover investigation has raised concerns about abuse of this system and its potential consequences. 

A picture showing a person of colour holding an LGBTQ+ ribbon (CC picture from Pexels)

It reveals an underground market of unregulated law firms, lawyers, and immigration advisors who allegedly coach migrants to fabricate claims of being gay in order to obtain asylum. These services are heavily advertised online and can cost thousands of pounds, including additional fees to produce false supporting evidence such as letters, photographs, and medical reports. Those targeted are often individuals whose visas are about to expire, rather than people arriving through irregular routes.

A key moment in the investigation is reflected in the following sentence “There is nobody who is real,” reportedly said by an immigration advisor to an undercover journalist. The same advisor suggested that presenting a false claim of being gay is “the very method everyone is adopting” to remain in the UK.

The UK government strongly condemned such practices. Home Office Secretary Shabanna Mahmood stated that those exploiting protections for LGBT people would face legal consequences, including imprisonment and asset seizure.

Advocacy groups have reacted differently. The Peter Tatchell Foundation said the findings confirm longstanding concerns about fraudulent applications undermining trust in the asylum system and harming genuine LGBT refugees.

The immigration system’s responsibilities

In contrast, organizations like Microrainbow warned that suggesting large-scale fraud is misleading and could endanger people genuinely fleeing persecution.

Regine Nguini from African Media Malta said that when people are barred from legal entry, they look for side doors. The immigration system should review its methodology and render the movement of asylum seekers more human. 

Official data shows that asylum claims based on sexual orientation made up about 2% of applications in 2022, with a 72% approval rate. Globally, discrimination remains severe: at least 67 countries criminalize same-sex relations.

The full report can be found here : https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/70967/uk-allegations-that-some-are-exploiting-the-asylum-policy-meant-to-protect-lgbtiq+-people