A major BBC undercover investigation has exposed how migrants are systematically faking domestic abuse claims to fast-track indefinite leave to remain in the UK, exploiting a special concession designed to protect genuine victims.
Advisers Charging £900 to Fabricate Claims
In a London hotel meeting, immigration adviser Eli Ciswaka told a BBC undercover reporter posing as a Pakistani national to pretend he was the victim of “psychological domestic abuse”. For £900, Ciswaka offered to create a full story, including false allegations that his British wife had been controlling and threatening. He assured the reporter: “All of them [previous cases] were successful.”
Ciswaka is neither a registered solicitor nor a regulated immigration adviser, making it illegal for him to provide such services. He boasted of successes and showed official Home Office letters sent directly to him about paying clients.
Numbers Soar 50% in Three Years
Home Office figures show 5,596 migrants applied for indefinite leave to remain on domestic abuse grounds in the 12 months to September 2025 — up more than 50% in just three years. Around a quarter of claims (1,424) were made by men, a 66% rise. Women’s claims rose 47%.
The Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession allows faster permanent residency than standard routes such as asylum. Successful applicants get three months’ leave and benefits, then can apply for indefinite leave to remain — bypassing the usual five-year wait and English tests.
British Partners’ Lives Turned Upside Down
British citizens are being falsely accused, with some reporting their partners made police complaints that were then used as evidence, even when no action was taken. One British mother told the BBC her ex-husband, a Pakistani national, accused her of abuse after she reported him for rape. The false claim allowed him to stay in the UK despite the allegations never being proven.
Criminal lawyer Jabran Hussain in Bradford said he has seen multiple British clients’ lives “turned upside down” by false claims, while the migrant partner can still gain settlement without a conviction.
- 5,596 domestic abuse concession applications in 12 months to Sept 2025
- Claims up more than 50% in three years
- Advisers charging £900+ to fabricate “psychological abuse” stories
- British partners facing false police reports and ruined reputations
- Home Office checks described as inadequate by experts
Government Response and Calls for Action
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips said the abuse of the route is “utterly shameful” and promised: “Try to defraud the British people to remain in the UK and your application will be refused… Sham lawyers facilitating this abuse will be put behind bars.”
The Immigration Advice Authority said it would investigate and take enforcement action. The Home Office is reviewing the cases highlighted.
Reform UK: End the Abuse of Britain’s Generosity
Reform UK has repeatedly warned that the asylum and immigration system is wide open to exploitation. The party demands immediate reform of the domestic abuse concession, stricter evidence requirements, faster removals of failed claimants and an end to legal aid for those entering illegally or overstaying visas. Reform UK insists Britain must protect genuine victims while closing loopholes that allow economic migrants to game the system at taxpayers’ expense.
What This Means for Britain
This BBC investigation reveals yet another route being systematically gamed by those who want to stay in the UK without genuine grounds. While the concession was designed to help real victims of abuse, inadequate checks are allowing false claims to succeed, costing taxpayers millions and destroying the lives of innocent British partners.
With small boat arrivals continuing and public trust in the system at breaking point, the revelations will fuel demands for root-and-branch reform. British families should not be collateral damage in a broken immigration system that rewards deception.
Reform UK’s pledge to stop the boats, end hotel use, jail sham lawyers and put British people first has never been more relevant.
Share if you believe Britain’s immigration system must stop rewarding false claims and protect genuine victims.
This article is a factual summary of the BBC undercover investigation. Full original story available on the BBC website. All quotes and details directly attributed.
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