Kemi Badenoch Under Fire For Proposing Immigrants Wait 15 Years For UK Citizenship

UK Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch has sparked outrage among Nigerians, after proposing a stricter immigration policy that would make immigrants wait 15 years before becoming British citizens.

In a video shared on her X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, Kemi Badenoch outlined her plan to overhaul the UK immigration system if the Conservative Party remains in power.

Her proposal includes extending the waiting period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five years to ten.

Additionally, immigrants would need to wait another five years after obtaining ILR before applying for British citizenship, effectively increasing the total process to at least 15 years.

Badenoch also proposed tighter eligibility rules, stressing that anyone with a criminal record, those reliant on social housing or benefits, and people who enter the UK illegally or overstay their visas would be permanently barred from obtaining citizenship or leave to remain.

She said, “I want to reduce immigration and make living here actually mean something. We need to change the way our immigration system works.

“If you want to stay in our country permanently and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, the time you have to live here before you apply would increase from five years to 10 years.

“You will have to be a net contributor with a high enough salary, especially if you want to bring family members with you. And if you have a criminal record, you are banned.

“We would increase the time you can apply for a British passport from 12 months to five years, meaning it will take a minimum of 15 years to start an application. If you enter this country illegally or overstay your visa, you will be banned from ever getting leave to remain or a passport.”

Kemi Badenoch’s proposal has triggered an outpouring of criticism, especially from Nigerians, who make up a major part of the UK’s migrant community.

Social media users expressed their frustration, with many people arguing that the changes are unfair and disproportionately target hardworking immigrants.

@MESIGO422 wrote, “They ask her how she got her own citizenship and why she has decided to make it harder for the people in the UK. Tomorrow, if people decide to leave the UK, the country will be in a deep economic depression. Join us? Let’s make it clear—people will start seeing her as a wicked Nigerian woman.”

@abbello110 wrote, “Immigrants that benefited from the system are kicking against the system now.”

Rotimi Adeosun wrote, “This woman has a deep-seated hatred for immigrants. Her case is typical of the privileged few Yoruba describe as ‘keni-ma-ni.’ Those who have enjoyed a privilege, like herself (who entered the UK as an immigrant!), but now I want to burn the bridge for others. A sadist indeed!”

@twuyi wrote, “She’s aiming to become PM of the UK and then using all this format as a stepping stone. Unfortunately, no matter all her condemnation of African immigrants, not only Nigeria can never work for her. Her tenth generation to come will surely suffer for it.” 

@Adole007 wrote, “She (Badenoch) is more focused on immigrants than actually solving UK internal problems and doing her opposition work.“Why is it that it is immigrants that are always the problem of their fellow immigrants!”

KanyiDaily recalls that Kemi Badenoch recently defended her comments about Nigeria, despite criticism from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who accused her of disrespecting the country.