Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1968 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act to amend sections 1 and 2 of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962, and Schedule 1 to that Act, and to make further provision as to Commonwealth citizens landing in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man; and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid |
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| Citation | 1968 c. 9 |
| Territorial extent | United Kingdom |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 1 March 1968 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Immigration Act 1971 |
| Relates to | Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 |
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Status: Repealed
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| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1968 was a law made by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This law changed how people from countries in the Commonwealth of Nations could move to the United Kingdom. It made it harder for many people to come and live in the UK, even if they had a connection to Britain.
Contents
What Was the 1968 Immigration Act?
This law changed an earlier one from 1962, called the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962. The new 1968 Act further limited the rights of people from Commonwealth countries to move to the UK. Before this, many people who were Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies had a right to enter the UK. This included those born in the UK or who had a parent or grandparent born there.
How Did the Act Change Things?
The 1968 Act removed this automatic right of entry for many. It meant that even if you had a British parent or grandparent, you might not be able to move to the UK easily. This was a big change for many people living in Commonwealth countries.
Why Was the Act Introduced?
The Act was created because of worries about a large number of people moving to the UK. Around 200,000 Kenyan Asians were leaving Kenya. This was due to Kenya's "Africanization" policy, which made it difficult for non-Africans to live or work there. These people had a right to live in the UK, and the government was concerned about how many might arrive.
Political Support and Opposition
The new law was passed very quickly, in just three days. Leaders from both the main political parties, the Labour Party and the Conservative Party, supported it. However, some politicians from both parties disagreed. For example, some Labour members and a few Conservatives like Iain Macleod and Michael Heseltine were against it. The small Liberal Party also opposed the Act.
What Happened After the Act?
After the 1968 Act, it became clear that the UK government's view on immigration was changing. As more countries in the British Commonwealth became independent, the idea of a large British Empire faded. The government decided to take a more careful approach to who could enter the country.
New Immigration Rules
Even with the new rules, many people from African, Asian, and Caribbean countries still wanted to come to Britain. Some found other ways to arrive, like traveling through Europe or using methods that did not require special immigration visas. The 1968 Act was later replaced by another law, the Immigration Act 1971.
