British Parliament passes the Aliens Act

August 11th, 1905. The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland passes the "Aliens Act". The purpose of the Act was to set up a system of immigration control for the United Kingdom. Until this point immigration had largely been unregulated in Britain. The legislation can be, roughly, divided into two parts: the rules for regulating incoming immigrants (§1-2) and the rules for the expulsion of "undesirable immigrants" (§3-4).

With regard to the first part, the legislation outlined a number conditions that "aliens" or immigrants would have to meet in order to be admitted to the country. First, they had to have come to the country by legal or legitimate means. That is, they had to have arrived in the country through a port with an immigration officer. Second, they had to have the financial stability to support themselves and or their dependents. Third, they couldn't have been suffering from a mental illness. And finally, they could not be wanted for a crime in another country; although exceptions could be made for those who were seeking political or religious asylum (§1-2). If any of these conditions were not met, then an immigrant could be considered "undesirable" and summarily barred entry into the country.

In terms of the second part of the legislation, power to deport or expel undesirable "aliens" or immigrants was given to the Secretary of State (now known as the Home Secretary) and the criminal courts; provided in the latter's case that the individual was convicted of a criminal offense (§3-4). The legislation further detailed how the expenses of the deportation were to be managed (§4).

The Aliens Act was the first time the United Kingdom introduced immigration controls. The Act aimed to curb the entry of criminals and "paupers" (poor people) into the country. However, some authors have suggested that another effect of the legislation, whether intended or not, was the prevention of Jewish people from emigrating to the country (Gartner, 1960).

-Luke Kersten

  • United Kingdom. (1905). Aliens Act of 1905. Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

  • Gartner, L.A. (1960). The Jewish Immigrant in England 1870-1914. London.

British Parliament passes the Aliens Act

August 11th, 1905. The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland passes the "Aliens Act". The purpose of the Act was to set up a system of immigration control for the United Kingdom. Until this point immigration had largely been unregulated in Britain. The legislation can be, roughly, divided into two parts: the rules for regulating incoming immigrants (§1-2) and the rules for the expulsion of "undesirable immigrants" (§3-4).

With regard to the first part, the legislation outlined a number conditions that "aliens" or immigrants would have to meet in order to be admitted to the country. First, they had to have come to the country by legal or legitimate means. That is, they had to have arrived in the country through a port with an immigration officer. Second, they had to have the financial stability to support themselves and or their dependents. Third, they couldn't have been suffering from a mental illness. And finally, they could not be wanted for a crime in another country; although exceptions could be made for those who were seeking political or religious asylum (§1-2). If any of these conditions were not met, then an immigrant could be considered "undesirable" and summarily barred entry into the country.

In terms of the second part of the legislation, power to deport or expel undesirable "aliens" or immigrants was given to the Secretary of State (now known as the Home Secretary) and the criminal courts; provided in the latter's case that the individual was convicted of a criminal offense (§3-4). The legislation further detailed how the expenses of the deportation were to be managed (§4).

The Aliens Act was the first time the United Kingdom introduced immigration controls. The Act aimed to curb the entry of criminals and "paupers" (poor people) into the country. However, some authors have suggested that another effect of the legislation, whether intended or not, was the prevention of Jewish people from emigrating to the country (Gartner, 1960).

-Luke Kersten

  • United Kingdom. (1905). Aliens Act of 1905. Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

  • Gartner, L.A. (1960). The Jewish Immigrant in England 1870-1914. London.