The United Kingdom is to use controversial bone tests to determine the age of migrants claiming to be minors, the Conservative government, which has made illegal immigration one of its priorities, announced on Tuesday.
The measure is part of a package of new provisions to be presented to Parliament this week, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said in a statement, defending “a crucial new step” in the country’s fight against illegal immigration.
The scheme will authorise the use of X-rays to scientifically determine the age of a person when the question arises. X-rays of teeth, bones in the hands and wrists and MRIs of the knees and collarbones will be allowed.
In this way, the government intends to prevent migrants who have reached the age of majority from posing as minors and thus benefiting from special assistance.
Between 2016 and June 2023, there were 11,275 cases of disputes over the age of asylum seekers and in almost half of the cases (5,551), the people concerned were finally considered to be adults, the ministry stated.
In recent months, the British government has significantly tightened its legislation in an attempt to stem the arrival of undocumented migrants on its soil, in particular by crossing the Channel from France on board makeshift boats.
Last year more than 45,000 people arrived in this way and more than 23,000 have done so since the start of this year. Most are seeking asylum, which has led to a bottleneck in the system for receiving and processing such applications, with more than 175,000 people awaiting a decision at the end of June.
The law now prohibits migrants who arrived illegally from applying for asylum.
The UK plans to expel migrants to their home countries or third countries such as Rwanda, a plan that has been blocked by the courts.
