Asylum seekers from safe countries such as the USA, Canada, and Australia are being granted benefits and free housing in the UK, a situation described as 'a disgraceful waste of taxpayers' money'. The Home Office is required to support any migrant deemed 'destitute' under current immigration law.
Asylum Claims from Safe Nations
Many of these individuals claim asylum in Britain based on racial, religious, or gender discrimination, despite originating from nations with strong human rights records. New figures reveal that nearly 150 EU migrants were living in state-funded accommodation in March while their asylum claims were processed. The data shows 75 Americans had claimed asylum, and 20 from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and Japan were also in taxpayer-funded accommodation as of March 31, 2026. Some received a weekly allowance of £49.18 for food, clothing, and toiletries.
Low Grant Rate
According to the Home Office, only 3% of asylum claims from safe nations, including other EU countries and the USA, were granted in 2025. Olabode Shoniregun, a 27-year-old university-educated American from Las Vegas, received free accommodation and benefits while claiming persecution as a black and Jewish Mormon in the US. His claim was rejected last summer, but he still received thousands of pounds in support and has not been removed.
In 2025, 15 Americans applied for asylum in the UK. There were also 88 applicants from Poland, 68 from Romania, 41 from Hungary, and 26 from Lithuania.
Political Reactions
Neil O'Brien, shadow minister for policy renewal and development, said: 'These people are basically economic migrants shopping around. They are likely originally from third countries but have already got nationality in very rich and safe countries and now want to come to the UK. There is no way you can credibly claim that the government of New Zealand or Sweden is a threat to your life.'
Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, stated: 'This is a disgraceful waste of taxpayers’ money. The EU and USA are manifestly safe. We should be immediately dismissing asylum claims from anyone coming from places like that and not spending a single penny of taxpayers money on accommodating them.'
Home Office Response
A Home Office spokesman said: 'Most asylum claims from these countries are rejected or withdrawn, with just 3% of applications granted asylum in the last year. Asylum claims are assessed on individual merit, and those found not to need protection will be refused. The Government has already reduced the number of asylum seekers in asylum hotels by 35% in the past year. Overall asylum support costs are down by 15% in the last financial year – helping reduce asylum support costs by nearly £1bn.'
