Balancing Human Rights with Migration Control in Post-Brexit UK Immigration Law: An Analysis of Legislative Reform and Case Studies
| Pages | 72-83 |
| Date | 01 June 2026 |
| Published date | 01 June 2026 |
| Author | Georgina MacInnes |
| Subject Matter | Social Sciences |
Southampton Student Law Review
Volume 16, Issue II Autumn 2026
72
ARTICLE
Balancing Human Rights with Migration Control in Post-
Brexit UK Immigration Law: An Analysis of Legislative
Reform and Case Studies
GEORGINA MACINNES†
University of Winchester
ABSTRACT. This paper evaluates whether UK Immigration law effectively balances
human rights with the need for orderly control and management of migration. It examines
the impact of Brexit, particularly with the removal of free movement, it then analyses key
statutes, including the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and the Illegal Migration Act 2023.
The paper then further evaluates the role of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the Human
Rights Act 1998 and the ECHR regarding protecting individuals’ rights in migration. Then,
exploring the Windrush Scandal and the case of East African Asians v UK, and how both
these case studies highlight policy failure and human rights breaches. Overall, this paper
argues that the UK are yet to find a system that meaningfully balances effective migration
control whilst upholding human rights.
Table of Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 73
1. The impact of Brexit on the UK Immigration System ............................................... 73
2. 1951 Refugee Convention .......................................................................................... 74
3. Legislative reform after Brexit ................................................................................... 76
3.1. The Nationality and Borders Act 2022 .............................................................. 76
3.2. The Illegal Migration Act 2023 .......................................................................... 77
3.3. R (AAA) v SSHD ................................................................................................. 78
4. Human Rights Act and ECHR .................................................................................... 79
5. Case studies of policy failure ..................................................................................... 80
5.1. The Windrush Scandal ....................................................................................... 80
5.2. East African Asians v United Kingdom .............................................................. 81
Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 82
† LLM Candidate, University of Winchester.
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