THREE African nations have agreed to take back illegal migrants after Shabana Mahmood threatened visa sanctions.
Namibia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) backing down now clears the runway for 3,000 fast-tracked deportations.
Home Secretary Shabana MahmoodCredit: Alamy
Small boat migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Ramsgate, Kent, from a Border Force vessel this weekCredit: PA
They agreed to work with the after issued a one-month ultimatum, triggering a sliding scale of punishments.
At the sharp end, that would have meant a full Trump-style ban on all visas.
Namibia and Angola signed up straight away.
The DRC was the last to cave after Ms Mahmood threatened to revoke preferential visa treatment for VIPs.
The Home Secretary said: “My message is clear, if foreign governments refuse to accept the return of their citizens, then they will face consequences.
“and dangerous criminals will now be removed and deported back to Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I will do what it takes to restore order and control to our borders.”
The first deportation flight to Namibia took off last month, with an Angola trip due in the coming weeks.
Deportations are now at a decade high, with 38,078 people with no right to be in the UK sent packing.
But small boat migrant deportation figures have dropped.
In the year to September, only 2,272 — 5 per cent — of the 45,659 arrivals were returned.
Meanwhile, 989 small boat landings have already taken place this year.
Ms Mahmood is now set to put more countries on notice after the three African deals.
, Pakistan, , Bangladesh, Somalia and Gabon — which have resisted taking migrants back — are all on the target list.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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