UK's Rwanda policy brings migrants to Irish border, Irish deputy PM
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin said the policy of deportation to Rwanda was causing immigrants to head to Ireland instead of staying in the U.K.
On April 26, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin stated to the Daily Telegraph that the legislation enacted by the U.K.'s parliament, which dictates the deportation of unauthorized immigrants to Rwanda, instead directed such individuals within the U.K. towards the border with Ireland. Martin claimed that immigrants approached the Irish border in fear of the consequences imposed by this legislation.
By migrating to Ireland instead of facing deportation to Rwanda, the deputy prime minister stated that the individuals were seeking asylum within the EU.
Helen McEntee, Irish Minister of Justice, told a parliamentary committee earlier this week that she estimated over 80% of asylum seekers in Ireland originated from the United Kingdom via the Northern Ireland land border.
Since Britain's withdrawal from the bloc, the sole land boundary separating the European Union and Britain is the border separating Northern Ireland, which is a constituent of the United Kingdom, from the Republic of Ireland.
Earlier this week, Parliament approved British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's flagship program to send asylum seekers to Rwanda if they illegally enter the country. The government anticipates the initial flights to start within 10–12 weeks.
Source: Newsroom
