Britain prepares to unveil new powers to ‘stop the boats’ | Refugee News

Prime Minister Sunak says those coming to the UK illegally will not be allowed to stay, in line with the proposed new rules.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said asylum seekers arriving in Britain on small boats across the English Channel would be prevented from staying.

Under pressure from lawmakers to find a halt to asylum seekers arriving in Britain, Sunak has made stopping small boats one of his five main priorities.

“Make no mistake, if you come here illegally, you can’t stay,” Sunak told the Mail on Sunday. Home Secretary Soyla Braverman said the only way into Britain would be a “safe and legal route”.

Sunak said the new authorities were a step towards fulfilling his pledge to “stop the boats once and for all”.

He added, “Illegal immigration is not fair to British taxpayers, it is not fair to those who come here legally and it is not right to allow criminal gangs to continue their immoral trade.” “I am determined to keep my promise to stop the boats.”

The legislation is expected to make asylum claims inadmissible from those who travel to Britain on small boats, with plans also to prevent them from returning once they are removed.

Last year, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed a deal to send tens of thousands of people, many of whom fled Afghanistan, Syria or other war-ridden countries, more than 6,400km (4,000 miles) to Rwanda.

Politics faced a legal battle after the first planned deportation flight was blocked by a last-minute injunction by the European Court of Human Rights.

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The High Court in London ruled it legal in December, but opponents are seeking an appeal. In the current legislation, asylum seekers have the right to remain in the country and have their cases heard.

The latest Home Office figures show that 2,950 people have already crossed the canal this year. Last year’s numbers are about 45,000.

The government’s plans have been criticized by campaigners, with concerns also about whether some policies are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Christina Marriott, the Red Cross’ executive director of strategy, called it “extremely troubling”.

“The Department of the Interior knows from its research that this will also do little to prevent people from risking their lives in search of safety,” Marriott said. “Time and time again we hear from people that they had no prior knowledge of the UK asylum system, so making it harsher is not an effective strategy.”

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