Umamah Bakharia | ub@radioislam.co.za

2 min read
7 March 2023 | 17:00 CAT

The United Kingdom government says it will detain and deport illegal migrants crossing the English Channel as it tables a new law that intends to stop thousands of people from reaching the country in small boats.

Picture: Financial Times.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman says the English government had “pushed the boundaries of international law” with a bill that will bar asylum claims by anyone who reaches the UK by unauthorised means, and will compel the government to detain and then deport them “to their home country or a safe third country” adding aggressive they would be barred from ever re-entering the country.

“If you come here illegally, it must be that you cannot stay,” wrote Braverman in the Daily Telegraph.

The British government says many of those making the journey are economic migrants, rather than refugees which is causing an influx into the country.

Meanwhile, refugee groups say most of the migrant arrivals are either fleeing war, persecution or famine in countries like Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. However, a majority of those whose claims have been processed were granted asylum in the UK.

The “Illegal Migration Bill”, being introduced in Parliament on Tuesday, will deter “migrants” and hobble smuggling gangs who send people on dangerous journeys across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the law would “take back control” of UK borders.

This comes after than 45,000 people arrived in Britain by boat in 2022, up from 28,000 in 2021 and 8,500 in 2020.

Even though most went on to claim asylum there is a a backlog of more than 160,000 cases has led to many people in overcrowded processing centres or hotels, without the right to work.