In a pivotal move towards the implementation of the Illegal Migration Act, the UK government is set to augment the list of safe states, encompassing India and Georgia. This strategic addition aims to expedite the repatriation process for individuals who have entered the UK illegally from these countries.
The designation of India as a safe state implies that individuals arriving illicitly will not have their claims for asylum entertained by Britain, as outlined by the Home Office in an official statement. According to the draft legislation presented in Parliament, this measure is intended to fortify the immigration system, curbing potential abuse, particularly in the form of unfounded protection claims.
Despite a lack of apparent persecution risk, the Home Office has noted a surge in small boat arrivals from India and Georgia over the past year. British Home Secretary Suella Braverman emphasized the necessity to halt perilous and unlawful journeys to the UK from fundamentally secure nations.
The expansion of the list, which already includes countries like Albania and Switzerland, alongside EU and EEA states, seeks to facilitate the swift removal of individuals with no legal grounds to remain in the UK. Braverman underscored the message that illegal entry does not guarantee a right to stay.
Inclusion in the safe states list, legislatively referred to as Section 80AA, is contingent upon the Home Secretary's satisfaction that there is no substantial risk of persecution for nationals of the respective country. Additionally, the removal of nationals must align with the UK's obligations under the Human Rights Convention.
These measures align with the broader framework of the Illegal Migration Act 2023, designed to deter illegal entry by allowing the detention and prompt return of individuals to a safe third country or their home nation. Further initiatives, including the duty to remove, are slated for implementation in the coming months.
Despite the Conservative government's commitment to impede small boat arrivals as a top priority, the latest figures reveal that over 26,000 migrants have entered the UK through hazardous routes since the beginning of the year. The government remains resolute in its efforts to mitigate the risks associated with such perilous journeys across the Channel, as endorsed by the Illegal Migration Act, which received Royal Assent on July 20, 2023.
(With agency updates)
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