REFUGEE rights groups have promised “fierce resistance” to the Tory’s “callous and cruel” Nationality and Borders Bill. 

The legislation, introduced in Parliament by Home Secretary Priti Patel today, contains provisions to set up offshore processing centres and make knowingly arriving in Britain without permission a criminal offence, punishable by up to four years in jail.

For the first time, asylum-seekers’ claims will be treated differently depending on how they reached Britain, with those entering via irregular routes refused the right to claim asylum and threatened with deportation. 

Afghan refugee Nas Popalzai, who came to Britain in a refrigerated lorry when he was 14 after fleeing the Taliban, told the Morning Star that he found the plans “upsetting” and “hurtful.” 

Under the current rules, Mr Popalzai, who was granted refugee status in 2019, would have been refused asylum and could have received a prison sentence for “illegally” entering the country. 

"I lost all my family. One of my brothers and my sister were killed in a raid. And my mother and brother are still missing" he said. “I was nearly killed along the way … and now you’re detaining me if I came illegal[ly] here. What did I do? Why are you punishing me for no reason? I have already been punished. I fled for my life. I was going to be killed there, so I ran away from my death.”

The government said that proposals for harsher sentences for people arriving in the country illegally would “send a clear message to migrants thinking about making the dangerous and illegal journey.”

However, Mr Popalzai, who is now migrant ambassador at the Migrant Voice charity, argued that the plans were “ridiculous” and would not deter people from making the crossing. 

“Look at me. If I was in the same situation as other people trying to cross the Channel, I’d rather be put in prison here than killed in my own country.

“People who have been through these journeys think [these plans are] very hurtful and upsetting.

“Hopefully, they are going to scrap it because I don’t think it’s going to work, it’s just going to punish asylum-seekers.” 

Migrant Voice director Nazek Ramadan also called for the “draconian” plans to be dropped. 

She said: “The Bill punishes people with agency who try to get themselves and their families out of danger, instead of waiting indefinitely in horrific conditions in refugee camps. This Bill fails to encompass even the most basic respect for human rights and dignity.”

Refugee Action chief executive Tim Naor Hilton said: “This anti-refugee Bill will be met with fierce resistance by campaigners, faith groups, lawyers, MPs from all political parties and anyone else who believes in a workable and compassionate asylum system.”