Ireland suggests UK's Rwanda scheme could be increasing incoming migrant numbers

Ireland suggests UK's Rwanda scheme could be increasing incoming migrant numbers
July 16, 2022, 4:20 pm

Dublin in Ireland/Pixabay

Ireland's premier Micheal Martin suggested on Friday (July 15) that a recent surge in international migrants to Ireland could be linked to Britain's controversial Rwanda policy, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Martin said that a reception center for Ukrainian refugees in Dublin was now 70% comprised of international protection applicants.

Ireland has an open-door policy for Ukrainian refugees. It also has open travel with the UK, according to the report.

Martin said: "We will be analyzing this, but something has happened in the last two to three months in terms of the surge within international protection applicants, something has clearly happened."

"Anecdotally or intuitively, one can see, and maybe sense, that that policy announcement, which I thought was a wrong policy announcement by the UK, a shocking sort of initiative in my view, to be doing some agreement with Rwanda, clearly may have motivated people utilizing the Common Travel Area to come into the republic (Ireland) -- yes, I think it is one of a number of factors."

Deportations to Rwanda are part of a deal struck by the British government, first announced in April, that would see asylum seekers who cross the English Channel being sent to the East African nation.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will attempt to expand Britain’s Rwanda migration scheme to include Turkey if she wins the Conservative Party leadership battle to become prime minister

The UK recently set up the Rwanda plan with the East African nation, where migrants arriving in Britain via the English Channel are to be sent while their asylum claims are processed.

Liz Truss nominates Turkey as candidate to join Rwanda scheme

The plan was criticized by both lawmakers, as well as civil society groups. The British government said it was necessary to tackle cross-border people smuggling.

It is worthy to note that the remaining candidates in the Conservative Party leadership race have all pledged to support the Rwanda scheme.

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