Tuesday, October 13, 2026 -British immigration authorities have arrested Sajjad Miah, a 42-year-old transgender woman, over allegations that she helped asylum seekers fabricate claims of persecution based on sexual orientation. Miah founded Apanjon, an east London organisation that says it supports LGBTQ+ people from Bangladesh.
The UK Home Office alleges that individuals linked to the group charged migrants up to £4,500 for evidence packages intended to support their asylum applications. The case is attracting attention as officials intensify efforts to identify suspected immigration fraud.
According to reports, the alleged scheme involved letters of support, photographs and other documents intended to make asylum claims appear genuine. The Home Office is reviewing more than 100 asylum applications potentially connected to the organisation.
Two people were arrested on suspicion of fraud and immigration offences, while a third person was detained on suspicion of being in the UK illegally. Miah has denied wrongdoing, maintaining that Apanjon supports people who genuinely face persecution because of their sexual orientation. The allegations have not been proven in court.
The investigation puts renewed focus on the challenge of preventing asylum fraud while protecting people who genuinely face persecution in their home countries. UK authorities have warned that those found to be manufacturing false evidence could face serious legal consequences.
However, the case does not establish that LGBTQ+ asylum claims generally are fraudulent, and each application must be assessed on its own evidence. As the investigation continues, the outcome could have implications for asylum screening, community support organisations and the treatment of vulnerable applicants seeking safety in Britain.
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