The Government sets out plans to make asylum claims from those who travel to the UK on small boats inadmissible. The new legislation will mean migrants caught coming into the UK by ‘irregular routes’ will be immediately deported either back to their homeland or so-called safe third countries and face a lifetime ban on securing the right to settle permanently in the UK or winning British citizenship.
Home Office figures show 2,950 migrants have crossed the Channel already this year, compared with a record 45,000 during the whole of 2022.
The Prime Minister has already vowed to put an end to illegal migration. It will also be expected to send 'as soon as reasonably practicable’ anyone who arrives on a small boat, either to Rwanda or a ‘safe third country’, no matter where they had come from. Also, would permanently ban them from returning. Arrivals will also be prevented from claiming asylum while in the UK.
However, the group’s head, Enver Solomon, said the plans would „add more cost and chaos to the system”, adding: „It’s unworkable, costly and won’t stop the boats”.
Although, the government is facing a challange now to make the plan work.
“We can’t move anyone to Rwanda right now – it’s subject to legal challenge.”
“We can’t remove anyone back into Europe because there are no returns agreements and we lost access to the database that allows us to prove that individuals have claimed asylum in Europe – Eurodac – when we left with Brexit.”
“So, unless we have a safe third country that isn’t Rwanda to send people to, this just doesn’t seem to be possible.” – Lucy Moreton, of the Immigration Services Union said.
Despite Rishi Sunak announcing plans for fresh laws migrants are continuing to make their way across the Channel on small boats.
Lucy Moreton, also warned that this decision could lead to an increase in the number of people risking the crossing, as the gangs will tell people “quick, cross now before anything changes”.
Currently, asylum seekers arriving in the UK have the right to seek protection under the UN’s Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights, they’re allowed to apply for citizenship after five years in the country.
Over 40 migrants were brought to shore by a lifeboat in Dover on Monday morning. Mr Sunak’s official spokesman said rising numbers of Channel crossings meant „there is no time to waste” on implementing the new plans.
Author: Patrycja Bodzek-Kurzyńska
Photo: Jack Hill/The Times, The Sunday Times.
