Sun Dec 28 04:40:15 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewrite as a news article:

Summary:

The UK Home Office has imposed visa restrictions on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), citing the DRC’s lack of cooperation with the UK’s new policy on returning undocumented migrants and criminals. Angola and Namibia have agreed to cooperate with the UK’s efforts. This move is part of a broader set of reforms aimed at reducing irregular migration, making refugee status temporary, and speeding up deportations. These reforms have been met with criticism from human rights organizations and some politicians who argue they are overly restrictive and undermine international human rights conventions.

News Article:

UK Imposes Visa Restrictions on DRC Over Migrant Return Policy

London – The United Kingdom has announced visa restrictions on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), accusing the DRC government of failing to cooperate with the UK’s new policy on the return of undocumented migrants and individuals convicted of crimes. The Home Office unveiled the measures Saturday, stating that the DRC had not met the UK’s requirements for cooperation. The new restrictions include the removal of fast-track visa services and preferential treatment for VIPs and decision-makers.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that the UK could escalate measures to a complete visa ban if cooperation doesn’t improve rapidly. “We expect countries to play by the rules. If one of their citizens has no right to be here, they must take them back,” Mahmood stated.

The Home Office also announced that Angola and Namibia have agreed to increase efforts to repatriate their citizens who do not have the right to remain in the UK.

The move is part of a broader set of sweeping reforms to the UK’s asylum system, unveiled last month, designed to deter irregular migration and speed up deportations. Key aspects of the reforms include making refugee status temporary, subject to review every 30 months, and extending the waiting period for permanent residency applications to 20 years. The government has also said it will legislate to make it harder for irregular migrants and foreign criminals to use the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to stop deportation.

The new policies have drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and opposition politicians. Mark Davies, a former advisor to the Foreign Office, called the approach “shameful,” while former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the reforms as “draconian” and accused the government of pandering to right-wing elements. Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, urged the government to reconsider, arguing the plans “will not deter” crossings.

According to the Home Office, more than 50,000 people with no right to remain in the UK have been removed since July of last year, a 23% increase compared to the previous period. Official figures indicate that asylum claims in the UK are at a record high, with approximately 111,000 applications made in the year to June 2025.

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