South Asian Diaspora Marriages, Immigration and Legal Challenges in the UK: Impacts on Women Rights and Way Forward

Abstract

This research paper focuses on marriage practices of South Asian diaspora and the impacts of immigration laws in the UK. This paper answers the research questions that why are arranged marriages preferred by South Asian diaspora in the UK, how do the British immigration laws challenge traditional patterns of South Asian marriages, and how do diaspora women and girls get impacted in these processes? The methodology of this paper is inspired by qualitative socio-legal research, which has employed both content and discourse analysis techniques. The paper finds that South Asians prefer arranged marriage because of their culture followed back in South Asia. The marriage practises of South Asians are one of many ways to keep connected to their roots in India or Pakistan. Meanwhile, the UK’s immigration laws on the other hand are introduced for halting fraud and protecting their value system. The paper concludes, despite genuine concerns of the authorities regarding fighting fraud and sham marriages, yet there is a strong need to hear perspectives of South Asian women as well before legislations.