Displaying items by tag: migration policy

A migrant who was deported to France under the UK’s new “one in, one out” return scheme has crossed the Channel again and re-entered Britain. The Iranian man, removed on 19 September, reportedly fled back four days ago, saying he feared for his life in France after being abused and threatened by smuggling gangs. He told *The Guardian* that he was treated “like a worthless object,” forced to work, and threatened with a gun. Human rights advocates say his case exposes serious flaws in the rushed removals process, claiming some deported individuals received inadequate legal advice and faced mistreatment. The Home Office insists it will not tolerate “abuse of our borders” and that anyone re-entering illegally will again be removed. The UK-France treaty aims to deter Channel crossings by returning migrants whose asylum claims are rejected while accepting others with legitimate protection needs. Despite this, crossings continue to rise, now exceeding 36,800 so far this year.

A new immigration system will be in place by March 2019 when the free movement of people between the EU and the UK ends, said immigration minister Brandon Lewis, as the government commissioned a detailed assessment of the costs and benefits of EU migrants. That report is expected in September 2018, six months before Brexit. Home secretary Amber Rudd has promised business there will be no ‘cliff edge’ on immigration; the government's final EU migration policy will be drawn up after the committee has produced its report. In the meantime there will be an ‘implementation phase’ which will involve new EU workers registering their details when they come to the UK. Immigration was one of the central topics of last year's EU referendum campaign. Pray for God to be in the midst of all the extensive consultations that will need to take place as government ministers listen to the views of businesses, unions and universities.