Britain’s Home Secretary Suella Braverman Tuesday expressed doubt that the migrant deal signed with Rwanda that would see British asylum seekers sent to the east African nation, would commence this year due to the legal action taken against Prime Minister Liz Truss’s government by several asylum-seekers, activists, and a border official’s union.
When questioned about the deportations program, Braverman said “you’ve got to ask the courts about that,” adding, “I think it’s going to take long.”
While addressing the British Conservative Party, at the annual conference, the recently appointed Home Secretary said the United Kingdom is looking to expand the immigrant policy towards other nations.
“We’re looking actively at negotiating with countries who will take our asylum seekers,” said Braverman.
According to reports, over 35,500 people illegally crossed into the United Kingdom this year, 28,000 were reported the previous year and dozens have died while attempting to seek greener pastures in the European nation.
British authorities say the illegal crossings have caused friction with France, however a commitment has been set in place between both nations to accordingly curb illegal migration triggered by smuggling gangs.
“That’s not good enough but it’s better than nothing,” said Suella Braverman.
Tim Naor Hilton, the Chief Executive of Refugee Action, says the United Kingdom is breaching international laws that protect refugees.
“This is a blatant breach of the international refugee laws that the U.K. proudly helped create in the first place,” said Hilton.
Clare Mosley, the founder of Care4Calais, a refugee charity, supports Hilton’s sentiments and described the U.K.’s migrant deal as “barbaric, untruthful and unnecessary.”
“If this government truly wanted to stop small boat crossings it would offer safe passage to those who have a viable claim for asylum,” said Mosley.
