People Can Welcome Refugees Into Their Homes If They Want To - PM
Boris Johnson praised the United Kingdom's reaction to the refugee issue, claiming that a new scheme will allow Britons to accept Ukrainians into their homes.
He told Sky News that the United Kingdom would be "kind" to individuals fleeing Ukraine, and that details of a new immigration program would be announced on Monday.
"People want us to be kind but also cautious," the PM remarked, defending the current immigration requirements.
The United Kingdom has been chastised for only taking in roughly 1,000 refugees so far.
Unlike the European Union, which allows Ukrainians to stay for three years without a visa, the UK maintains immigration restrictions. 1.4 million refugees have already been accepted by Poland.
There are two major ways for Ukrainian war refugees to obtain a visa to enter the UK. The first condition is that they have family in the United Kingdom. The second, which has yet to be formed, permits Ukrainians to enter the UK if they have an individual or organization sponsoring their application.
Mr Johnson stated on Sky News' Beth Rigby Interviews that Britain was "historically and by nature" a "very generous, open, and welcome people."
"People want us to be generous but also careful," he said, defending the need for biometric data checks such as fingerprints. He added that security measures were "light touch" and "sensible given the Putin regime's attitudes toward the UK."
He added that this would be the "greatest thing for refugees," since they want a plan that is "secure, inviting, and effective."
When asked why the checks were needed for children, he said they did not apply to younger people. Children are estimated to make up around half of the two million refugees fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
When asked about the 1,000 family visas that have been awarded so far, Mr Johnson indicated that number will "increase very dramatically."
He went on to say that Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Housing and Communities, would publish details of a second visa scheme on Monday, which would allow individuals to "welcome [them] into their own homes."