The Islamic Centre of England (ICE), a London-based charity facing accusations of acting as an outpost for the Iranian regime, is authorized by the UK Home Office to sponsor skilled worker visas, allowing it to bring foreign workers into Britain. The center is listed on the Home Office's register of licensed visa sponsors, an approval indicating it has undergone vetting to hire non-UK citizens.
This authorization persists even as the Charity Commission investigates the ICE for alleged ties to Tehran. Reports indicate the charity has hosted events featuring pro-Tehran propaganda, including merchandise with images of General Qassim Soleimani, former head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and has held vigils for him. Critics argue this sponsorship program provides a pathway for individuals linked to the Iranian regime to enter the UK.
Shadow national security minister Alicia Kearns stated that the ICE should be immediately removed from the list, calling it a "bona-fide backdoor into the UK for Iranian agents" and an "indoctrination hub." Kasra Aarabi, director of research on the IRGC at United Against Nuclear Iran, described the situation as "truly appalling," asserting that the center functions as the UK office for Iran's supreme leader.
In response, the ICE has maintained its independence, stating it is not a representative of any government or political entity. A spokesperson for the center said it holds a Home Office sponsor license like many other UK organizations, allowing it to sponsor skilled workers when immigration system requirements are met. The center insists it is an independent UK charity operating in accordance with UK law and its charitable objectives, despite past questions about its relationship with the Iranian government.
The Home Office has stated that the ICE has not sponsored any workers since 2022. A spokesman added that the government is taking the threat posed by the Iranian regime seriously and has expedited legal changes to outlaw support for the IRGC, enhancing powers for law enforcement and intelligence services to disrupt and prosecute those acting on behalf of the regime.
Concerns have also been raised about other organizations on the visa sponsor list, including Islamic bookshops selling texts described as anti-Semitic and radicalizing. Some of these books question the nature of Jewish people and promote ideologies influenced by figures like Sayyid Qutb and Hasan al-Banna. Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, criticized the "skilled" visa route, suggesting it is being exploited by businesses that should not hold sponsor licenses. He called for an urgent review of the system and the deportation of any individuals brought into the country on temporary work visas by such organizations.
The skilled worker visa certificates were introduced in 2020 as part of post-Brexit immigration reforms. The scheme permits registered employers to hire workers for jobs meeting specific skill criteria. The Home Office register shows over 120,000 organizations are licensed to issue sponsorship certificates, ranging from large banks to small businesses.
A Home Office spokesman reiterated that if wrongdoing is uncovered concerning the ICE or any other organization, those responsible will face legal consequences, including potential prison sentences, loss of licenses, and civil action.