LONDON: A BBC undercover investigation has alleged that a network of immigration advisers, paralegals and associated intermediaries has been helping migrants fabricate asylum claims in the UK by falsely presenting themselves as gay, charging thousands of pounds for false narratives, staged evidence and interview coaching.
At least three law firms - one of these owned by Pakistanis – has been accused by the BBC of fabricating the asylum claims through illegal means.
According to the BBC investigation, the abuse centres on migrants, particularly from Pakistan and Bangladesh, whose student, work or tourist visas are close to expiring and who are then allegedly advised to seek asylum on the basis of sexual orientation – as being gay or lesbian.
Using undercover reporters posing as international students from Pakistan and Bangladesh, the BBC said it tested whether immigration advisers would encourage false sexuality-based asylum claims. It reported finding multiple individuals willing to discuss fake claims, suggest supporting evidence and quote fees for handling such cases. Among the findings were allegations one of the law firms quoted up to £7,000 for a fabricated claim and described the chances of refusal as “very low”, while another adviser allegedly offered to arrange fake supporting letters, photographs and even a supposed sexual partner to back up an asylum application.
An undercover reporter met a senior legal adviser who claimed he could help him remain in the country by guiding him in fabricating evidence for a false claim, assuring a very low risk of refusal. For a fee of £7,000, the adviser said his office would provide step-by-step instructions on what to do and what evidence to produce. He also suggested arranging a fake same-sex partner and offered a cover story to explain an existing marriage, adding that a prepared statement would clarify the entire process.
A significant part of the investigation focused on an LGBT support organisation for gay and lesbian asylum seekers.
The BBC traced the undercover reporter’s route to the group through a paralegal at an immigration firm based in Birmingham and London, who is also described as founder and chairman of the support group. When the reporter told the group’s representative that he was not gay, he was informed: “There is nobody who is real. There is only one way out in order to live here now and that is the very method everyone is adopting.”
The BBC also said the group’s representative suggested that if the reporter later brought his wife from Pakistan to Britain, she too could make a false asylum claim by pretending to be lesbian.
The report said precise figures for fabricated claims are impossible to establish, but Home Office data suggests a disproportionate number of sexuality-based asylum claims come from Pakistani nationals.
In 2023, there were 3,430 initial decisions on LGBT asylum claims and nearly 1,400 new claims based on sexual orientation. Of these, 42 per cent were lodged by Pakistani nationals, who also accounted for the highest number in each of the previous five years. The article noted that Pakistanis were only the fourth most common nationality across all asylum applications and made up just 6 per cent of total claims overall. Nearly two-thirds of asylum seekers claiming persecution on grounds of sexual orientation had their claims granted at initial decision stage in 2023.
The Home Office told the BBC that making an asylum claim through deception is a criminal offence and that anyone convicted can face prison and deportation. It said misuse of protections designed for people fleeing genuine persecution because of their sexuality was deplorable, but insisted that the asylum system includes safeguards and that claims are rigorously assessed. The department added that abuse is actively investigated and procedures are continually reviewed.
