Tighter rules over citizenship

[suzume at mx82.tiki.ne.jp]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/2904859.stm

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first dual citizenship, then what ?
jch
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Tighter rules over citizenship

British citizenship can be revoked from immigrants who "seriously 
prejudice" the UK's interests, under new laws coming into force on 
Tuesday.

There is widespread speculation that the measures will be used against 
controversial Muslim cleric Sheikh Abu Hamza.

He was banned from preaching at Finsbury Park mosque in north London 
this year because of "inflammatory" remarks.

The new powers come under section four of the Asylum, Immigration and 
Nationality Act 2002.

Applying only to those with dual nationality, they could lead to 
undesirables being deported from the UK.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said British citizenship was a 
"privilege" which should not be acquired by deception or abused by 
people "acting against the UK's vital interests".

He would thus "prepare a case" under the new laws to take action 
against anyone who had acted in a way which was deemed incompatible 
with holding British citizenship.

Home Office minister Beverley Hughes said last month that Mr Hamza and 
others were "being very, very closely monitored".

Other measures

Andrew Dismore, Labour MP for Hendon, called for the radical cleric to 
be deported under the new powers.

"I think Abu Hamza should be a prime candidate under these new powers, 
if not at the very top of the list," he said.

"He has done nothing but run down Britain ever since he got his 
nationality.

Abu Hamza should be a prime candidate under these new powers, if not at 
the very top of the list
Labour MP Andrew Dismore
"Why does he want to stay here if Britain is such a horrible place to 
live?

"He wants to turn Britain into a Taleban-style state and has no place 
in this country.

"He fulfils the criteria of this legislation for his nationality to be 
removed and then for him to be removed."

The Egyptian-born Mr Hamza came to Britain in 1980 and was granted 
British citizenship after marrying an English national.

If the authorities decided to take action against him under the new 
powers he would have a right to appeal against being removed from 
Britain.

Other measures coming into effect on Tuesday are designed to stop 
failed asylum seekers delaying their removal from Britain by "abusing" 
the appeal system.

They also crack down on illegal working by giving immigration officers 
new powers to enter and search business premises.