The UK is considering its own new travel bans as a response to rising concerns over illegal migration and limited border control powers, just as the US reintroduces sweeping entry restrictions on citizens from a dozen countries; Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says Parliament must regain authority over who enters and stays in the country, and that targeted travel bans could be a viable solution to restore control, especially as existing legal frameworks like the European Convention on Human Rights are seen as blocking deportations and weakening enforcement.

Badenoch said the UK is being “mugged” by illegal migration and that stronger immigration measures are needed. She explained that the current system no longer serves national interests and emphasized the need for direct control over entry and deportation decisions.

Her remarks came as the United States announced the reintroduction of entry restrictions on citizens from twelve countries. Former President Donald Trump confirmed that the new travel ban would apply to Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The ban will go into effect on Monday and will block nationals from these countries from entering the United States unless they qualify for exemptions.

Additional travel restrictions are expected to be imposed on citizens from seven more countries, with final details pending. The renewed ban follows Trump’s first-term policy and is being implemented to address migration and national security concerns.

In response to questions about the US decision, Badenoch clarified that she had not seen the list of countries affected by the American policy. She stated that her focus is on UK-specific issues and did not express support for replicating the Trump administration’s approach.

Alongside travel bans, Badenoch is also examining the UK’s legal relationship with the European Convention on Human Rights. She announced the launch of a legal commission to analyze the potential departure from the ECHR, arguing that legal obstacles are preventing effective border enforcement. She claimed that the UK had “lost control of the asylum system” and that current legal frameworks are “blocking” deportations and undermining national policy.

Badenoch pointed to the use of “lawfare” as a strategy that delays or prevents removals of individuals with no legal right to stay. She said the country may need to leave the ECHR, stating that she had not seen a workable solution within the current structure. The commission will report its findings at the Conservative Party conference later this year, where a decision on the next steps is expected.

The Labour government has stated that it will not pursue an ECHR exit. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said that leaving the convention would be his top priority if elected.

In May, nine EU countries signed a joint letter calling for the reinterpretation of the ECHR to allow for more flexibility in deporting migrants. The letter was signed by Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, and Slovakia. The group argued that current interpretations limit their ability to remove individuals who break the law or enter illegally.

The Council of Europe’s Secretary General Alain Berset responded to the letter by warning against political interference in the judicial process.

While the UK has not announced a list of countries for new travel bans, Badenoch’s remarks indicate that such measures are under active consideration. The US has already finalized and announced its new policy. The UK is currently exploring its options through legal and political channels.

The debate around migration, travel bans, and international legal frameworks continues to evolve on both sides of the Atlantic. The UK’s final stance will depend on the outcome of the commission’s report and the direction taken by its political leadership.

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