Judges Declare Sudanese Asylum Seeker a Child Despite Age Dispute

An immigration tribunal in the UK has ruled that a Sudanese asylum seeker, who claimed to be 16 years old upon arrival, should be legally regarded as a child, overturning a prior Home Office assessment that deemed him to be at least 23. This decision arose after extensive legal proceedings that raised questions about his age, despite his mature physical appearance characterized by a receding hairline and thick facial hair. The tribunal concluded that it was 'more likely than not' that the man's claimed date of birth was accurate, prompting the local council to incur over £30,000 in legal costs related to his case. The ruling has sparked political debate, with figures like Sir Keir Starmer criticizing the existing legal framework that allowed the decision to be made. The asylum seeker arrived in the UK on September 6, 2023, after fleeing conflict in Sudan and traveling through several countries. The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding asylum policies and age assessments in the UK.