Ireland Reacts to Britain's Plan to Deport Asylum Seekers to Rwanda

After Britain's recent decision to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, several parties have raised objections, including human rights groups, British and European courts, the House of Lords, and even members of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party. However, another aggrieved party has now entered the fray: Ireland.

Recently, the Irish government announced that asylum seekers in Britain, who are concerned about being deported to Rwanda, are choosing to travel to Ireland instead. In response, Ireland is in the process of creating emergency legislation to repatriate these asylum seekers back to Britain, leading to a potential conflict with its neighbor. In turn, Britain has stated its refusal to accept them.

Impact on Ireland

Irish officials have estimated that approximately 80 percent of recent asylum applicants have entered the country through Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom and shares an open border with the Republic of Ireland. This suggests that Britain's deportation policy is already proving to be a deterrent, aligning with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's intention. However, this situation is placing a burden on Ireland, which is already struggling to accommodate an influx of refugees from Ukraine and other regions. The country has also witnessed clashes over immigration in both small towns and major cities.

Irish Prime Minister's Stance

On Sunday, Ireland's Prime Minister, Simon Harris, firmly stated, "This country will not in any way, shape or form provide a loophole for anybody else’s migration challenges," emphasizing Ireland's position on the matter.