The government’s aim to deter asylum seekers from risky journeys to the UK is noble, but the recent asylum and returns policy may not be effective in achieving this goal.
While there are some aspects of the proposals that I agree with, such as community sponsorship to help integrate refugees, the swift removal of those without legal rights in the UK is crucial. However, I am apprehensive about the implications of the proposals for genuine asylum seekers, especially refugee children who often arrive through irregular means due to family ties or being born to refugee parents in the UK.
The government’s plan to reassess asylum status every 30 months for up to two decades could divide communities and create unequal treatment among individuals, leading to prolonged uncertainty for some. This approach risks fostering negative attitudes towards individuals considered as temporary residents, particularly affecting children who may face the threat of being uprooted to a country they have never known.
Although the government argues that these measures will reduce incentives for asylum seekers, it assumes that these individuals are well-informed about destination countries’ policies, which is often not the case. Factors like family connections, language proficiency, and existing communities play a more significant role in influencing asylum seekers’ decisions.
To combat the exploitation by human traffickers, collaboration with neighboring countries is essential. The successful strategies employed during the final months of the Biden administration, combining border restrictions with legal pathways, resulted in a significant decrease in irregular border crossings.
The UK could enhance cooperation with EU partners, such as expanding initiatives like the UK-France one-in-one-out program, inspired by successful international models. This could involve increasing the intake of asylum seekers from Europe in exchange for facilitating returns. Exploring the use of asylum centers in neighboring countries for initial assessments could be a step forward, emphasizing fair treatment over harsh experimental policies.