LONDON: The UK Home Secretary has emphasized the need to address the requests of thousands of destitute asylum seekers and announced plans to end the costly practice of accommodating these individuals in hotels.
Yvette Cooper, the UK Home Secretary, announced on Monday, July 22, that the legal ban on accepting illegal asylum seekers has been lifted. Previously, the UK Parliament had approved a bill to transfer illegal asylum seekers to Rwanda after months of debate. However, the plan was subsequently revoked by Keir Starmer, the new Prime Minister.
The Home Secretary criticized the plan to transfer illegal migrants to Rwanda as a waste of taxpayer money, noting that the Conservative government intended to spend $13 billion on the scheme despite no asylum seekers being transferred to Rwanda.
Meanwhile, thousands of asylum seekers, including Afghan nationals, continue to attempt to reach European countries, particularly the UK, via small boats.
Reports indicate that over 10,000 asylum seekers have entered the UK illegally so far this year.
The shift in policy reflects ongoing challenges in managing asylum requests and the complexities of immigration reform. With new measures in place, the government aims to address the immediate needs of asylum seekers while also seeking to curb illegal entry.
The international community will be watching closely as the UK implements these changes, particularly to assess their effectiveness and humanitarian impact. Ensuring fair and efficient processing of asylum claims remains a critical issue for policymakers.
