Conservatives Plan Controversial Immigration Taskforce Inspired by US ICE

Published: 05 October ‘2025. the English Chronicle Desk

The Conservative Party is set to announce plans for a new immigration taskforce modelled on the controversial U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, as party leader Kemi Badenoch prepares to address delegates at the annual Conservative conference in Manchester. The proposed initiative, described as a “removals force,” is designed to deport 150,000 people annually and aims to form the cornerstone of a wider “borders plan” intended to strengthen the UK’s immigration enforcement framework.

According to sources familiar with the proposals, the taskforce would receive £1.6 billion in funding and be granted expansive powers, including the ability to deploy facial recognition technology without prior notice to identify individuals eligible for removal. Officers in the new unit would work in close coordination with police forces, conducting immigration checks on those they stop or arrest. Badenoch is expected to argue that this model mirrors the success of ICE under former President Donald Trump, which reportedly removed nearly 200,000 people in the first seven months of his second term. However, the U.S. agency has faced substantial criticism for allegedly targeting legal migrants and discriminating based on race.

The announcement comes at a critical moment for the Conservatives, who have struggled with historically low poll ratings over the past year. Immigration has emerged as a defining theme of this year’s conference, with Badenoch presenting the taskforce as a credible alternative to Reform UK’s proposals, led by Nigel Farage, which include leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and deporting hundreds of thousands of people. Badenoch is expected to emphasize that the Conservative plan is legally sound and enforceable, contrasting it with what she describes as Reform’s “unrealistic” promises.

In addition to the removals force, the plan includes a significant overhaul of the UK asylum system. Badenoch is expected to propose limiting refugee status exclusively to individuals directly threatened by foreign governments, effectively excluding those fleeing conflict or persecution on grounds such as religion, sexuality, or societal intolerance. Asylum appeals would be confined to cases where officials act outside statutory authority, and legal aid would be restricted, with Badenoch asserting that lawyers have previously “coached” applicants and that truthfulness should suffice in legal proceedings.

The proposed measures also include removing the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights, a move Badenoch asserts is necessary to safeguard national security, public services, and the rights of citizens and veterans. The leader of the party anticipates that this measure, along with the taskforce and asylum reforms, will appeal to right-leaning voters who have expressed concern over migration levels, particularly amid record-breaking arrivals across the English Channel. Home Office figures show that 34,401 people have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year, signaling a potential record for annual arrivals in 2025.

Political analysts predict that the proposals will further polarize opinion, drawing praise from hardline supporters advocating for stronger border enforcement, while provoking criticism from human rights organizations and civil liberties groups. Many observers note that the plans could spark intense debate within the party itself, as members weigh the need for stricter immigration controls against potential legal and ethical ramifications.

Badenoch’s announcement also underscores the growing prominence of immigration as a defining electoral issue in UK politics. The proposed taskforce reflects a broader trend within the Conservative Party towards adopting policies that echo approaches taken abroad, while attempting to maintain a veneer of legality and feasibility. The move signals an effort to reclaim voters attracted to Reform UK’s hardline rhetoric by presenting a structured, government-led alternative.

While the operational details of the removals force remain subject to finalization, it is clear that Badenoch’s proposals represent a significant shift in the Conservative approach to immigration enforcement, combining technological surveillance, legal reforms, and administrative restructuring in a single package. The coming weeks are expected to see vigorous debate both within Parliament and among the general public, as the government and opposition scrutinize the feasibility and consequences of such a comprehensive immigration strategy.

The announcement is widely anticipated to dominate discussion at the Conservative conference, with delegates, media, and political commentators analyzing the potential implications for UK society, the legal system, and the party’s electoral prospects. With Reform UK continuing to gain traction on the right of the political spectrum, Badenoch is expected to present the plan as a firm demonstration of the Conservatives’ ability to implement decisive and enforceable border policies.

As the UK grapples with rising migration pressures, the taskforce proposal is likely to provoke further debate on the balance between national security, human rights obligations, and the country’s international commitments. The plan also raises questions about the practical challenges of enforcing mass deportations, the ethical implications of curtailing legal aid, and the broader impact on the asylum system, all of which will likely become central themes in public and parliamentary discourse over the coming months.