Officials from the UK and Ireland are set to reevaluate the impact of the UK’s controversial plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, as tensions rise over increased migration to Ireland and legal challenges.
UK and Irish officials are poised to examine recent strains linked to the UK’s asylum policy, particularly the proposal to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. This policy shift has led to an increase in asylum seekers transferring to Ireland from Northern Ireland, with Ireland’s government stressing it will not serve as a backdoor for migrants attempting to avoid deportation to Rwanda.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has stated that this migration to Ireland indicates the deterrent nature of the policy. Conversely, Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris emphasized the importance of upholding Ireland’s distinct migration strategies, independent of UK influences.
Following a court decision that blocked the labeling of the UK as a ‘safe third country’ for asylum seekers, Ireland is considering legislation that would facilitate sending them back to the UK. However, the UK government has expressed unwillingness to accept these asylum seekers from Ireland unless the EU consents to their return to France, a move aimed at deterring illegal crossings from France and implementing the Rwanda asylum arrangement effectively.
In preparation for the potential deportation of migrants to Rwanda, the UK Home Office has indicated that it will soon begin detaining migrants. Initial talks between UK Home Secretary and the Irish Justice Minister have been deferred, but discussions are expected to resume during the upcoming British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.
Meanwhile, the UK’s policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda has faced criticism from humanitarian workers on the Italian island of Lampedusa, a major entry point for migrants into Europe. Aid workers there have condemned the UK’s decision and have called for European nations to create safer migration channels. The island of Lampedusa, which witnessed approximately 110,000 migrant arrivals and 3,105 deaths last year, was visited by Home Secretary James Cleverly, drawing further attention and criticism. Despite the aim of the visit being to build cooperation on managing migrant flows, it was met with skepticism and protest from local and humanitarian groups, emphasizing the need for more humane migration policies and safe passages.
