An analysis by the Refugee Council has revealed the immigration bill may cause a “system meltdown” and trap more than 100,000 people.
Independent reports that the analysis says Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s flagship immigration legislation might be an ill wind that does not do anybody any good. This is because it might trap over 100,000 men, women, and children in permanent limbo. Meanwhile, taxpayers will be footing the billions to accommodate them.
The analysis says even if the United Kingdom government is successful in flying 2,000 people by the end of the year, about 115,575 asylum seekers will still be left behind. This will cost the taxpayers around 17.1 million pounds a day, or more than 6.2 billion pounds a year.
Under the new act, anyone who enters the UK without prior permission cannot claim asylum. The Home Secretary is legally empowered to arrange their removal to either their country of origin or a safe third country.
Meanwhile, there is no way to apply for asylum outside the UK. This will, therefore, impact most people who apply for asylum in the UK.
Contrary to Mr Sunak’s belief that his Rwanda scheme would deter migrants from seeking to cross the English Channel, 400 migrants arrived in the UK on the same day five people, including a child, died while trying to cross the Channel.
Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees, has called on Mr Sunak to reconsider the plan. Grandi described the plan as a “worrying global precedent.”
Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe human rights commissioner, has also urged the UK not to remove refugees under the policy. He said adopting the Rwanda Bill “raises major issues about the human rights of asylum seekers and the rule of law more generally.”
Preparations for the first flights to Rwanda are due in the next few days. Asylum seekers who could be relocated are being identified and potentially detained.
Enver Solomon, chief executive officer at the Refugee Council, said: “This report lays bare the immense cost, chaos, and human misery that the Illegal Migration Act and Rwanda plan will unleash.”
