The government is talking tough on immigration. But this isn’t good news for Peruvians without the correct paperwork.
Paddington Bear is a much-loved children's character from deepest, darkest Peru. He's also an illegal immigrant.
According to Michael Bond's classic books, Paddington is an illegal stowaway who entered Britain with no partner or means of supporting himself, then adopted a different identity before staying in the UK indefinitely.
Politicians are keen to tell us that British immigration law has been toughened up since Paddington first arrived in the 1950s, so what would happen if he tried to enter the UK today?
Prominent lawyer Philip Trott of Bates Wells Braithwaite – whose previous immigration clients include Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes and P Diddy – told BuzzFeed how Paddington would be treated under the current law.
FilmFair
Paddington may be able to get into the UK on a tourist visa using a false passport.
Shutterstock/FilmFair
"The biggest challenge would be getting entry to the UK, explains Trott. "If [Paddington] had a valid passport then he'd probably get in. If his identity is real then he would carry on and go through immigration."
"If [his identity] is not real – but he's not on a watch out list for immigrants using false identities – then he'll probably get leave to enter as a tourist. But of course tourists can't work."
Paddington would still be advised to head straight back to Peru and find a UK employer to sponsor a visa.
Shutterstock/FilmFair
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