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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsNational securityInternational LawCitizenshipCounter-terrorismRepatriation•••Started 4mos agoActive 1wk ago

Should the government allow citizens who left to join foreign terrorist organizations to return to the UK?

This highly emotional debate centers on individuals like Shamima Begum, who left the UK as a teenager to join ISIS in Syria. Under international law, it is generally illegal to leave a person stateless, but the UK government has utilized broad powers to strip citizenship from dual-nationals deemed a threat to the public. Proponents of repatriation argue that the UK must take responsibility for its own radicalized citizens and prosecute them in British courts rather than burdening unstable regions. Opponents argue that allowing traitors to return poses an unacceptable security risk and serves as an insult to the victims of terrorism.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 1.3k UK voters.

18%
Yes
82%
No
5%
Yes
76%
No
8%
Yes, we have a moral duty to repatriate them, particularly those groomed as children.
2%
No, revoke their citizenship immediately to protect our national security.
6%
Yes, stripping citizenship sets a dangerous precedent; bring them home to face British justice.
2%
No, let them face justice in the local courts where they committed their crimes.
1%
No, they are traitors who forfeited their rights the moment they joined a death cult.

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 1.3k UK voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 1.3k UK voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @BDWK774answered…3wks3W

This is a judgement that should only be made on a case by case basis.

 @BDZXJFManswered…1wk1W

It depends. Who is classifying them as terrorists? Those opposing genocide and labelled terrorists today will be on the right side of history, if the wrong side of a state captured government.

 @BDHSMLZanswered…1mo1MO

Yes, but following criminal trial and examination to assure they are not a risk to national security.

 @BDLVSFLanswered…1mo1MO

I feel yes but they should have to be put in a detention facility for a minimum of 2 years and only be allowed probation (for a following year) after they had psychiatric testing. However if they are proved to be an ongoing threat to society, they should not be allowed to come back.

 @BDK64W6answered…1mo1MO

Yes, but only if they've proven themselves to no longer be a threat

 @BDJL3HWanswered…1mo1MO

No, their citizenship should be revoked unless they are still children

 @9WTN5BT  from Maine  answered…1mo1MO

No, but if ISIS had been recognised as a state and at war then we could have declared its members as foreign actors.

 @BDGB8KKanswered…1mo1MO

No, terrorists should be executed or re-educated

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About This Data

Based on 1.3k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

iSideWith is non-partisan — we don't advocate for any party, candidate, or position. We report what the public tells us.

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Cite This Poll

iSideWith. (2026). “Should the government allow citizens who left to join foreign terrorist organizations to return to the UK?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://uk.isidewith.com/poll/5548752474

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