The Home Office could be blocked from deporting many young male trafficking victims to Albania following a significant court ruling. Thousands of Albanian males have been identified as potential trafficking victims in the UK in recent years, with many currently returned to Albania even if they are potential or confirmed victims.
A panel of three senior judges in the upper tribunal of the immigration court accepted the asylum claim of a 21-year-old Albanian trafficking victim. The judges found he remained at “real risk” from his traffickers and could not safely return to Albania, despite five years having passed since he was first trafficked.
The court issued new country guidance to the government, which the Home Office must now consider before making decisions on sending male trafficking victims back to Albania. The judgment noted that while Albania has made progress on corruption, it remains a widespread issue, and there are no dedicated shelters for adult male trafficking victims, leading to a significant risk of retrafficking.
Home Office sources have indicated they are considering whether to apply for permission to appeal the ruling.