Section 26A — Immigration Act 1971: Registration card

Registration card 26A 1 In this section “ registration card ” means a document which—

a carries information about a person (whether or not wholly or partly electronically),

and b is issued by the Secretary of State to the person wholly or partly in connection with—

i a claim for asylum (whether or not made by that person), or ii a claim for support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (whether or not made by that person).

2 In subsection (1) “ claim for asylum ” has the meaning given by section 18 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.

3 A person commits an offence if he—

a makes a false registration card, b alters a registration card with intent to deceive or to enable another to deceive, c has a false or altered registration card in his possession without reasonable excuse, d uses or attempts to use a false registration card for a purpose for which a registration card is issued, e uses or attempts to use an altered registration card with intent to deceive, f makes an article designed to be used in making a false registration card, g makes an article designed to be used in altering a registration card with intent to deceive or to enable another to deceive, or h has an article within paragraph (f) or (g) in his possession without reasonable excuse.

4 In subsection (3) “ false registration card ” means a document which is designed to appear to be a registration card.

5 A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (3)(a), (b), (d), (e), (f) or (g) shall be liable—

a on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, to a fine or to both, or b on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both.

6 A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (3)(c) or (h) shall be liable—

a on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, to a fine or to both, or b on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both.

7 The Secretary of State may by order—

a amend the definition of “registration card” in subsection (1);

b make consequential amendment of this section.

8 An order under subsection (7)—

a must be made by statutory instrument, and b may not be made unless a draft has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.