After authorities turned down Dublin’s requests that they return asylum seekers who gain entry through Northern Ireland, tensions between the UK and Ireland have escalated to a breaking point.
The Republic is worried that many people are crossing the island’s invisible border to evade deportation to Rwanda.
This feud arises at a time when the number of migrants who have made the trek to the UK over the English Channel has reached a new record high of over 7,000, according to data from the Home Office for the first four months of this year.
After the UK’s courts ruled that the nation cannot be considered “safe” because of its partnership with the African state, Taoiseach Simon Harris pledged to adopt new legislation to assist migrants’ repatriation. According to a Rishi Sunak spokeswoman, the British government has the prerogative to determine its citizens’ admissions policies, and she implied that the prime minister might disregard future legislation.
The Republic’s continued membership in the European Union has obstructed British efforts to end the Channel problem by returning to France via a returns agreement. Dublin has been making much of a meeting in London today between Home Secretary James Cleverly and Justice Minister Helen McEntee, which may indicate the escalating tensions. Unfortunately, Mr. Cleverly had to back out because of other commitments, and now Ms. McEntee has also withdrawn. Therefore, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris meets with Foreign Minister Michael Martin instead.
According to Ms. McEntee, over 80% of the nation’s asylum seekers currently come from Northern Ireland. Last week, she promised to implement “fast processing” to manage the surge of asylum seekers. As minister for justice, her primary responsibility is guaranteeing a functional immigration system.
The conservative members of parliament were shocked by Dublin’s suggestions.
According to ex-Brexit secretary David Davis, this problem is widespread throughout Europe, and no member state will be able to solve it until Europe takes control of its borders.
It would be “quite appropriate,” according to Taoiseach Simon Harris, for his nation to return asylum seekers to Northern Ireland. He firmly said that the government would not tolerate any sort of immigration that poses a threat to its citizens. During today’s usual bilateral meeting in London, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is scheduled to address the matter with the Irish foreign minister and others.
