georgenorman
Member
- Country
England
From GOV.UK:If they claim asylum, whilst their arrival is “irregular” they aren’t illegal whilst their application is processed. It’s a fact!
You can argue it ought not to be and that we need to revise our laws but right now it is.
Stealing is unlawful. Not irregular.
Illegal entry or irregular arrival: definitions and legal basis
Entry with or without leave
Section 3(1)(a) of the Immigration Act 1971 states that, persons who are not British
citizens shall not enter the UK unless given leave in accordance with provisions in
the Immigration Act 1971 or made under that act.
Entry without leave is a breach of section 3(1)(a) and therefore constitutes illegal
entry as defined by section 33(1) of the Immigration Act 1971 (as amended by the
1996 Asylum and Immigration Act).
Under section 24 (B1) of the Immigration Act 1971, a person who a) requires leave
to enter the United Kingdom and, b) knowingly enters the UK without such leave,
commits an offence which is triable both ways.
A person who commits this offence, on summary conviction in England and Wales,
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine, or both. On summary
conviction in Scotland, that person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
12 months, or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both. In Northern
Ireland, the maximum sentence on summary conviction is 6 months imprisonment, or
a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both.
For conviction on indictment, that person is liable to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 4 years or a fine, or both.
[Is irregular maintenance of gas appliances unlawful or just irregular by the way?]