New figures have emerged showing that Britain has taken back 50 migrants from Ireland. The returns came only a few months before Rishi Sunak announced he was “not interested” in taking back anyone who had fled to the Republic of Ireland.
Rwanda Threat Causing Irish Immigration to Spike
Ireland claims around 90% of their asylum seekers had fled from across the border with Northern Ireland because they were fearful of being sent to Rwanda.
Immigrants Found on Intercepted Buses
Irish police reports suggest that they intercepted two buses bound for Dublin from Belfast. One was stopped in October, and the other in February. Official records show that there were 25 immigrants on each bus.
Migrants Swiftly Returned
In both cases, the migrants returned to the UK. Three children were in the group, and they were dispatched either via ferry back to Holyhead or train to Belfast.
Cases Led to Arrests and Charges
The investigation led to two people’s arrest and subsequent charge for facilitating illegal entry into the United Kingdom.
Joint Task Force Between UK and Ireland Led to Finds
The operation was part of Operation Sonnet, a joint arrangement between the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the Immigration Enforcement Team in Northern Ireland.
Temporary Stop of Returns in Place
In March, the Irish High Court ruled that the Irish Ministry of Justice had overstepped its powers when designating the UK a safe country following the Brexit vote. The Irish Government is currently working on legislation to enable returns to continue in the future.
Irish Stuck With Immigration Issue
At present, Ireland is in a tricky situation. It has stopped returning immigrants to the UK. Still, the next nearest spot (France) has ruled out accepting returned immigrants.
Legality of Issues Unclear Post-Brexit
The Irish Leader, Simon Harris, has urged Sunak to abide by the terms set out in the UK-Ireland Common Travel Area returns, but Sunak and his government argue that the agreement is not legally binding following Brexit.
Irish Protecting Their Borders – UK Protesting
Ironically, the UK government has raised the issue that Ireland is sending 100 extra police to the border to tighten security. They’re doing this to prevent immigration, which is exactly what the government claims it wants to do in the UK.
UK Government Concerned Border Will Become Blocked
The UK government is saying the Brexit treaty kept the border open, which keeps the Irish Sea customs border open, suggesting it could impact trade. This is as yet completely unproven.
The UK Offered Ireland a Chance to Join the Rwanda Shambles
In a ludicrous move, the UK government told Ireland it could join the Rwanda scheme—something that the UK government hasn’t managed to deliver with even a modicum of success. Ireland dismissed the suggestion as “satire.”
Irish Immigration a Problem
Ireland has already accepted over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees following the Russian invasion in 2022. So far, 6,000 people from various nations have applied for asylum. If the number follows the same trend, it’ll reach a record this year.
UK Loosely Accused
The Irish government has suggested that 90% of the asylum seekers have entered the country from the UK border, but that figure remains under dispute. A border has to be manned on both sides.
Argument Over Rwanda Not Just a Domestic Issue
The Rwanda plan has also been questioned in Dublin. The Northern Irish High Court says it broke the Windsor Framework Brexit Border Treaty and the European Convention of Human Rights, and disapplied it in Northern Ireland.
Issue Another in Long Line of Problems With Bill
The Rwanda Bill continues to be a problem for the government. It has been clumsy from the start, difficult to implement, costly, and completely unsuccessful—a metaphor for the UK government, if you like.
Rwanda Bill Likely to Be Scrapped
If the next government is a Labour one, Keir Starmer has already pledged to rip up the plan and implement something new. This is likely to be the best course of action—the Rwanda bill has been wholly unpopular with anyone outside of the Tory party.
Rwanda Bill a Sunak Legacy
Should the bill be scrapped without a single flight taking off, it’ll be symbolic of the Sunak premiership. A lot of talk, plenty of disagreement and ultimately, a failure.
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