approval.

This rate of lawmaking surpasses that of every other social policy area. In addition, legislation has been supplemented by a number of major policy proposals and plans (see Table 1). Labour has also developed policy in often controversial directions, such as the decision to allow nationals of new European Union (EU) Member States in Eastern Europe to work in the UK.

Part 4 of the act legislated that suspected terrorists who were immigrants could be interned (potentially on a permanent basis). The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) reviews decisions, but the act does not permit judicial review of the SIAC.

Secure Borders, Safe Havens: Integration with Diversity in Modern Britain

White Paper

2002

Set out comprehensive reform, including the goal of "managed migration."

Created the arm's-length Border and Immigration Agency, which replaced the Immigrationand Nationality Directorate on April 2, 2007.

Enforcing the Rules: A Strategy to Ensure and Enforce Compliance with Our Immigration Laws

Policy Strategy

2007

Called for secure border control built on biometric visas and greater checks.

UK Borders Bill

Parliamentary Bill

2007

Proposes police powers for immigration officers and a requirement that foreign nationals must have a Biometric Immigration Document (BID).

Source: International Passenger Survey

The backdrop to such passions and legislative pronouncements has been the increasing number of immigrants. According to Home Office statistics, the total number of migrants coming to the UK for more than one year rose from 326,100 in 1997 to 582,100 in 2004 while the net inflow (which accounts for emigration) increased from 46,800 to 222,600 (see Figure 1). The Government Actuary Department predicts net immigration to continue at 145,000 individuals per year.