The UK Home Office emphasizes that this initiative is geared towards fortifying the nation’s immigration system and curbing abuse by individuals making groundless protection claims
The UK government has introduced plans to include India in an expanded list of ‘safe states,’ a move designed to expedite the repatriation of illegal Indian migrants and eliminate their eligibility for asylum in the UK, according to a report by wionews.com.
The proposed legislation, presented in the House of Commons on November 8, outlines India and Georgia as additions to the list. The UK Home Office emphasizes that this initiative is geared towards fortifying the nation’s immigration system and curbing abuse by individuals making groundless protection claims.
UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman emphasized the necessity of halting perilous and illicit journeys to the UK from fundamentally secure countries. “Expanding this list will allow us to more swiftly remove people with no right to be here and sends a clear message that if you come here illegally, you cannot stay,” she stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to implementing the measures outlined in the Illegal Migration Act.
This move is part of the broader Illegal Migration Act 2023, aimed at deterring illegal migration by streamlining laws to facilitate the detention and swift repatriation of those arriving in the UK unlawfully
This action aligns with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s commitment to “stop the boats” carrying illegal migrants to the country’s shores. The Home Office noted an uptick in small boat arrivals from India and Georgia over the past year. By designating these countries as safe, the UK intends to reject asylum claims from individuals arriving illegally from either nation.
In addition to India and Georgia, the UK has previously identified Switzerland and Albania, as well as European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) states, as safe nations.
The process of adding a country to the safe states list, governed by Section 80AA, involves a thorough evaluation by the home secretary. The criteria include determining the absence of persecution risk for nationals and ensuring that repatriating them aligns with the UK’s obligations under the Human Rights Convention. The Home Office asserts that both India and Georgia meet these criteria.
The proposal will undergo parliamentary scrutiny, with debates scheduled in both Houses before the legislation is enacted. This move is part of the broader Illegal Migration Act 2023, aimed at deterring illegal migration by streamlining laws to facilitate the detention and swift repatriation of those arriving in the UK unlawfully.
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