Controversial law allowing UK to deport migrants to Rwanda creates tensions between London and Dublin

The bill came into force in the United Kingdom a week ago. If the British Prime Minister welcomes this, Ireland is annoyed and denounces an increase in illegal arrivals on its territory.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has staked all his political capital on immigration. His goal : put an end to clandestine Channel crossings and relocate the system asylum in Rwanda. Announced in 2022 by its conservative government and presented as a key element of its policy to combat illegal immigration, the “Rwanda law” came into force on April 23, 2024. This measure aims to send to Rwanda migrants who arrived illegally on the territory, whatever their country of origin.

Ireland is already denouncing an increase in illegal arrivals on its territory, via the border with Northern Ireland. Far from seeing it as a diplomatic crisis, Rishi Sunak welcomed these arrivals in Ireland, proof, according to him, that the law works. But this comment displeased the Irish Prime Minister: “Ireland will not provide an escape from UK’s migration challenges“, replied Simon Harris, the head of the Irish government.

United Kingdom: the Prime Minister sticks to his positions

The British Prime Minister is always very inclined to congratulate himself and anyway, he bet so big on the “Rwanda project” that he can only congratulate. But according to him, the statements of the Irish Minister of Justice are the sign that he is right. Interviewed Sunday April 28 on the channel Sky NewsRishi Sunak said : “What matters to me is the UK and the ssecurity of our borders. But these statements show two things. First, that illegal immigration is a global challenge. This is why more and more countries are considering using partnerships with third countries and will imitate the United Kingdom. It also shows that deterrence is already starting to work: people are worried about coming here. If they know they won’t be able to stay after coming illegally, they’re fine less likely to come”concludes the British Prime Minister.

For the moment, out of the question for London to “take back” the arriving migrants illegally in Ireland as long as France does not accept the return of those who crossed the Channel. Ultimately, the objective is to put an end to these crossings, which are often very dangerous. On At this point, there is no “Rwanda law” effect. Last week, the pace of Channel crossings did not particularly slow – moreover, five people died at sea last Monday, including a little girl. Since the dstart of 2024, the number of arrivals on the coasts English prices have also increased again, after a drop in 2023. According to the ministry from the British Interior, they are mainly Vietnamese migrants. The government has launched, earlier this year, communication campaigns on the networks social, in Vietnam, to dissuade candidates from undertaking the trip.

British opinion divided

To accelerate the dissuasive effect of the Rwanda law, the executive is launching this Monday, April 29 a vast operation to arrest and detain migrants in situation irregular so that they can quickly be placed on board a plane heading to Kigali. This migration policy is perceived, in the United Kingdom, asas a major advance by the right fringe of the conservative majority, to regain control of the borders. But, it is seen as a regression for the opposition Labor, part of the House of Lords and migrant defense NGOs. They denounce an inhumane approach and above all contrary to commitments international reception and asylum. As for British society, according to YouGov pollsters, there are as many Britons for as against the policy migration of Rishi Sunak.

Ireland: the government wants legislate urgently

‘Ireland will not provide an escape from the UK’s migration challenges’, said Simon Harris, the head of the Irish government, on Sunday April 28. The Irish authorities have in fact noted an increase in arrivals of foreigners in an irregular situation, from Northern Ireland. According to the latest estimates, 80% of recent arrivals in the Republic of Ireland, are done via the border with the British province. Figures which could therefore be explained by the fear of migrants to be shipped to Rwanda in the coming weeks.

Faced with this influx, Ireland intends to legislate urgently, to be able to send migrants back to the United Kingdom, aaannounced Simon Harris on Sunday. Justice Minister Helen McEntee will present legislative proposals on Tuesday April 30, 2024 aimed at implementing a new returns policy. Which obviously worries the Irish Refugee Council. This bill comes just days after another government plan to speed up the return of asylum seekers from Nigeria, precisely after an increase in requests, many of which are believed to be from the UK.

Still according to Helen McEntee, the increase in the number of migrants arriving from the North in recent months would also be linked to the consequences of a border “opened” between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Since Brexit, this border is effectively open, with few immigration controls. A key condition of the agreement,ar the idea was to avoid creating tensions between the two parts of the island, given its bloody history.

Tensions between Belfast and Dublin

Tensions are, in any case, very real now between London and Dublin. Lhe Minister of Justice in Ireland announced that it was withdrawing from an Anglo-Irish conference, which was to take place this Monday, April 29. Her decision follows the cancellation of a meeting she was to have had just before with the British Home Secretary, qhe postponed at the last minute on Sunday evening. There also appears to be tensions with Belfast qwho would not have received any contact from Dublin, concerning asylum seekers crossing the border into the Republic. For Michelle O’Neill, the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, this lack of contact highlights the extent to which the Irish government is disorganized in the face of the migration issue.