Reform has said it will press ahead with plans for large-scale deportations and will not be deterred by protests or what it describes as “progressive outrage”. Speaking in Dover alongside Nigel Farage, the party’s home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, said a future Reform government would establish a UK Deportation Command to identify, detain and remove people without legal status. He denied comparisons with US immigration enforcement agencies, arguing that UK policing operates by consent and would not involve armed officers.
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Mr Yusuf said the proposed unit would aim to deport up to 288,000 people a year, with Reform expecting removals to exceed 600,000 over a first term in office. He insisted the policy would be enforced firmly but lawfully, and rejected suggestions that it would lead to violence similar to that seen in parts of the United States. The party has also proposed visa freezes for certain countries that refuse to accept the return of their nationals.
The plans have drawn strong criticism from charities and opposition parties. The Work Rights Centre warned that retrospective action against settled migrants would be damaging to families, communities and the wider economy. Amnesty International UK said a British equivalent of US-style immigration enforcement risked creating a system driven by fear and discrimination, while Liberal Democrats described the proposals as chaotic and divisive.
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Reform has defended its language and approach, arguing that current immigration levels amount to an “invasion” and that existing legal frameworks, including the European Convention on Human Rights, prevent effective enforcement. The party has pledged to leave the convention, claiming it prioritises the rights of offenders over those of British citizens. Critics, including Conservative figures, said the proposals offered little that was new and risked inflaming tensions without addressing underlying issues.
