Policy Press

Experiments in Automating Immigration Systems

By Jack Maxwell and Joe Tomlinson

Published

Jan 25, 2022

Page count

130 pages

ISBN

978-1529219845

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Jan 25, 2022

Page count

130 pages

ISBN

978-1529219852

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Jan 25, 2022

Page count

130 pages

ISBN

978-1529219852

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press
Experiments in Automating Immigration Systems

In recent years, the United Kingdom's Home Office has started using automated systems to make immigration decisions. These systems promise faster, more accurate, and cheaper decision-making, but in practice they have exposed people to distress, disruption, and even deportation.

This book identifies a pattern of risky experimentation with automated systems in the Home Office. It analyses three recent case studies including: a voice recognition system used to detect fraud in English-language testing; an algorithm for identifying ‘risky’ visa applications; and automated decision-making in the EU Settlement Scheme.

The book argues that a precautionary approach is essential to ensure that society benefits from government automation without exposing individuals to unacceptable risks.

Jack Maxwell is a barrister at the Victorian Bar.

Joe Tomlinson is Senior Lecturer in Public Law at the University of York.

Foreword - Catherine O’Regan

1. The Home Office Laboratory

2. Testing Systems

3. The Brexit Prototype

4. Category Errors

5. Precautionary Measures