UK Passes Rwanda Asylum Bill
In 2023, more than 1,000 Indians have risked their lives in an attempt to enter the UK from Europe via the English Channel in inflatable small boats. This was done in an attempt to seek jobs and asylum in the UK.
The UK Parliament has approved the contentious Rwanda Asylum bill, granting the government authority to repatriate asylum seekers to Rwanda in East Africa. This legislation is designed to discourage migrants from embarking on perilous journeys across the English Channel to reach Britain in small boats.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his approval of the bill, emphasizing that “nothing will hinder” the commencement of flights to Rwanda. He hailed the passage of this “landmark” legislation as a significant shift in global migration policy. Sunak confirmed that deportation flights would commence in July 2024.
In a post on X, Sunak wrote, “Start the flights. Stop the boats. That’s what this bill delivers.”
Start the flights.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 23, 2024
Stop the boats.
That's what this bill delivers. pic.twitter.com/y93Ti3qe2k
Reports indicate that the UK government has increased the capacity of detention centers to accommodate 2,200 individuals and has allocated 200 specialist caseworkers to expedite the processing. Additionally, 25 courtrooms and 150 judges are prepared to handle legal disputes associated with the program.
What is the Rwanda plan?
The Rwanda asylum plan entails relocating asylum seekers who arrived in the UK or entered the UK illegally after January 1, 2022, to Rwanda. Under a five-year agreement, their asylum claims will be processed in Rwanda.
According to the BBC, if the government effectively executes the plan, these asylum seekers might be granted refugee status and allowed to stay for an extended period. Alternatively, they could pursue asylum in another “safe third country” or apply for settlement in Rwanda based on different grounds.
How will the Rwanda Asylum bill affect Indians?
In 2023, over 1,000 Indians took the perilous journey to enter the UK from Europe through the English Channel aboard inflatable small boats. This risky endeavor was undertaken in pursuit of job opportunities and asylum in the UK. Consequently, the number of Indians seeking refuge in 2023 surpassed the 5,000 mark for the first time in the year.
The proportion of illegal migrants from India aged 18-29 has notably increased, constituting approximately 60 percent of the total number of illegal Indian migrants who entered the UK in 2023.
With the recent enactment of the Rwanda law, Indians who entered the UK illegally will now be subject to the deportation scheme. This could potentially result in them losing their jobs and means of livelihood.
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