• September 8, 2025

IOC UK Kerala Chapter meets Minister Seema Malhotra to raise immigration issues

By Biju Kulangara

LONDON: Following the release of a white paper by the Keir Starmer government proposing stringent guidelines to control immigration from foreign countries, Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) UK Kerala Chapter President Suju K. Daniel held a meeting with Migration Minister Seema Malhotra. The reason for sharing concerns with the minister, according to Suju K. Daniel, is that the proposed laws in the white paper could significantly affect Indians working in various sectors.

“All aspects were thoroughly discussed, and the minister assured that the law would only be implemented after eliminating all doubts and clarifying all concerns,” said Suju K. Daniel.

As the white paper is scheduled to be discussed in Parliament on September 8, IOC activists have decided to write to MPs across party lines. As part of this initiative, IOC members from various parts of the UK have already begun sending emails to their local MPs.

The white paper includes proposals such as increasing the visa residency period required to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five years to ten years. The Labour government is believed to have brought forward these urgent immigration control proposals in response to the challenges posed by Reform UK during the last election.

The proposal to increase the ILR qualifying period to ten years is aimed at reducing the number of people leaving the country and discouraging those planning to immigrate. The government has clarified in the white paper that the policy will be implemented after considering the reactions from migrant communities. That is why IOC activists are sending letters to MPs.