English Channel migrants face ban on claiming asylum in Britain
October 5, 2022, 7:53 am

English Channel migrants face ban on claiming asylum in Britain

(R) UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman - Official Twitter account @SuellaBraveman

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced new plan to ban migrants crossing the English Channel from claiming asylum in Britain.

At the Conservative Party conference, Suella Braverman used her first major speech since taking on the role to set out the proposals.

According to The National, the laws will impose a blanket ban on anyone considered to be entering the UK illegally from seeking refuge and go further than the Nationality and Borders Act that came into force in June.

“We have got to stop the boats crossing the Channel. This has gone on far too long,” Ms Braverman said in Birmingham.

“But I have to be straight with you: there are no quick fixes and the problem is chronic.”

She said the law "simply isn't working" and legislation was being "abused" by people smugglers, people making "multiple, meritless and last-minute claims" and - taking aim at lawyers - by "specialist small boat-chasing law firms," adding: "This cannot continue."

British rescuers (front) helping some 20 migrants on a semi-rigid boat trying make their way from France across the English Channel. (File photo AFP)

"I will commit to you today that I will look to bring forward legislation to make it clear that the only route to the United Kingdom is through a safe and legal route ... So if you deliberately enter the United Kingdom illegally from a safe country, you should be swiftly returned to your home country or relocated to Rwanda. That is where your asylum claim will be considered."

UK and Albania to expedite removal of Channel migrants

The announcement marks the latest attempt by the government to curb the growing numbers of Channel crossings after its policy to send migrants on a one-way trip to Rwanda stalled amid legal challenges.

So far this year, more than 33,500 people have arrived in the UK after making the journey from France.

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