Rishi Sunak, the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, believes that migrants travelling to Ireland after arriving in the UK on small boats is a sign that the Rwanda scheme is already working as a deterrent. In an interview with Sky News’s Trevor Phillips, he mentioned that the threat of being deported to Rwanda has caused an influx of migrants to cross the border from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland. Sunak views this as evidence that the deterrent is having an impact and that people are less likely to come to the UK illegally if they know they won’t be able to stay.
The Global Challenge of Illegal Migration
Sunak also highlighted the fact that illegal migration is a global challenge and that many countries are exploring third country partnerships as a way to address this issue. He believes that the UK’s Rwanda scheme can serve as a model for other countries to follow in order to deter illegal migration. The UK government refuted claims that the Rwanda plan was already influencing movements into Ireland, stating that it was too early to determine its impact. However, Sunak remains confident in the effectiveness of the scheme.
Ireland’s deputy prime minister Micheal Martin expressed concerns about the impact of the Rwanda scheme on his country. He mentioned that people were “fearful” of staying in the UK due to the possibility of being deported to Rwanda. Martin suggested that the policy may be designed to drive asylum seekers towards seeking sanctuary in Ireland and the European Union instead. The Irish justice minister estimated that over 80% of migrants in the Republic had crossed from Northern Ireland, indicating a shift in migration patterns due to the Rwanda scheme.
While the Rwanda scheme has generated controversy and sparked debates about its impact on migrant movement, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has remained focused on securing the country’s border. The Safety of Rwanda Bill recently became an Act, allowing for the deportation of migrants to Rwanda. Despite setbacks and delays, the bill finally received royal assent, and the first deportation plane has been booked. Home Secretary James Cleverly hailed this as a landmark moment in the government’s plan to deter illegal migration.
The Rwanda scheme introduced by the UK government has sparked discussions about its impact on migrant movement, particularly towards Ireland. While some believe that the scheme is already proving to be a deterrent, others argue that it is causing shifts in migration patterns and raising concerns about the treatment of asylum seekers. As the first deportation flights are scheduled to take off in the coming weeks, the true impact of the Rwanda scheme on illegal migration remains to be seen. It is essential for governments to carefully consider the humanitarian consequences of such policies and work towards more sustainable solutions to address the global challenge of illegal migration.
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