Migrants making false domestic abuse claims to stay in UK, BBC investigation finds
Migrants exploiting domestic abuse claims to secure UK residency, BBC finds
A BBC investigation has revealed that some migrants are using false domestic abuse allegations to extend their stay in the UK. These individuals are taking advantage of a government policy designed to help authentic victims of abuse achieve permanent residency more swiftly than through other pathways, such as asylum. Lawyers claim that insufficient checks by the Home Office are allowing these claims to succeed with limited proof, often disrupting the lives of unsuspecting British partners.
Fast-track residency under threat of misuse
The Home Office concession for migrant victims of domestic abuse enables temporary visa holders in relationships with British citizens to apply for indefinite leave to remain. This process grants three months to prove their case, after which they can seek permanent residency. However, experts warn that the speed of this route makes it vulnerable to abuse. The number of claims has surged by over 50% in three years, reaching more than 5,500 annually.
“What evidence are you going to use because she doesn’t hit me or anything so there’s no domestic violence,” the BBC reporter asked during a meeting with Eli Ciswaka. “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.”
In a recent case, a British mother left her male partner after he was accused of rape. She was then falsely claimed as a domestic abuse victim by him, allowing him to stay in the UK and avoid returning to Pakistan. The allegations, though unproven, were used to secure her partner’s residency. Such scenarios highlight the growing concern over the system’s susceptibility to manipulation.
The BBC’s undercover reporter encountered Eli Ciswaka, an immigration adviser operating under the firm Corporate Immigration UK. During a meeting at a London hotel in late February, Ciswaka outlined his method for creating false domestic abuse claims. He suggested fabricating stories of verbal conflict and using phrases like “I brought you here” to frame the situation. For £900, he would present the case to the Home Office, enabling the client to gain residency status.
Ciswaka frequently promotes the domestic abuse concession on social media, emphasizing its benefits for clients. His approach exemplifies how legal professionals are exploiting the system, helping migrants bypass immigration rules by crafting plausible narratives. This practice raises questions about the integrity of the fast-track residency process, which typically requires five years of residency for applications under standard visa routes.
