UK Government’s Contested Illegal Immigration Plan to Become Law
The UK government’s controversial plan to tackle illegal immigration by making it easier to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is set to become law. Despite opposition and attempts to water down the legislation by the House of Lords, the government has succeeded in defeating proposed changes, allowing the bill to proceed for Royal Assent.
The Illegal Migration Bill, at the center of the UK government’s pledge to stop asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel, has faced criticism from opposition politicians, lawyers, and civil rights groups. They argue that the plan is inhumane, cruel, and ineffective.
United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk expressed serious concerns about the bill, stating that it sets a precedent for dismantling asylum-related obligations. The passage of the bill could potentially influence other countries to adopt similar policies.
It is worth noting that deportation flights to Rwanda are not expected to commence until next year, pending a ruling by the Supreme Court on their legality.
The bill aims to restrict asylum claims made in the UK, with individuals either being deported to their country of origin or to a safe country like Rwanda. The legislation requires asylum seekers to obtain permission before seeking asylum in Britain.
Several proposed amendments to the bill, including shorter time limits on detaining unaccompanied children, increased protections for victims of modern slavery, and delays in deportation for six months, were ultimately defeated in the House of Lords.
While the UK government signed a 140-million-pound deal with Rwanda last year, legal challenges have delayed the implementation of the deportation policy. The European Court of Human Rights blocked the first planned deportation flight to Rwanda in a ruling issued last year.
Interestingly, the approval of the bill coincided with the arrival of a barge to house migrants off the southern coast of England. The government has defended the use of barges, claiming they are a cost-effective alternative to hotels.
In 2020, a record number of 45,755 individuals arrived in the UK via small boats, mainly from France. The rate of arrivals so far this year, more than 12,000, is comparable to that of 2020.
As we await the Supreme Court’s ruling on the legality of deportation flights to Rwanda, the UK government forges ahead with its plans to deter illegal immigration. Critics argue that the government’s approach is misguided, emphasizing the need for a more compassionate and effective system to address asylum seekers’ needs.
Ultimately, the passage of this legislation raises significant concerns about the future of asylum-related obligations in the UK and sets a precedent that other countries may follow. The matter remains contentious, and only time will tell the true impact of the government’s contested illegal immigration plan.
