| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to amend and replace the present immigration laws, to make certain related changes in the citizenship law and enable help to be given to those wishing to return abroad, and for purposes connected therewith. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 1971 c. 77 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 28 October 1971 |
| Commencement | 1 January 1973 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repeals/revokes | |
Status: Amended | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Immigration Act 1971[1] (c. 77) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom concerning immigration and nearly entirely remaking the field of British immigration law. The Act, as with the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962, and that of 1968, restricts immigration, especially primary immigration into the UK. It introduced the concept of patriality or right of abode. It was also partly passed to legally clarify the rights of Commonwealth citizens within the United Kingdom in preparation for membership of the European Communities (EC) in which the United Kingdom would become a member state from 1 January 1973. It was coincidentally the same day which the Act came into full legal force which gave not only new automatic rights to EC member state citizens but would also give them priority over non-EC citizens (including overseas Commonwealth citizens) under the obligations of the Treaty of Rome, of which the UK become a signatory though the Treaty of Accession, signed on 22 January 1972. In relation to deportation notices, the Act is referenced at sections 11 and 23 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
- ^ a b Short title as conferred by s. 37 of the act