Sunak: Ireland will not be allowed to return illegal immigrants

The prime minister stated that the UK will not accept illegal immigrant returns from the EU through Ireland because France does not accept them from the UK.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in an interview with ITV News, confirmed that the UK is not interested in a potential returns agreement. This comes after Irish officials mentioned drafting legislation to enable the return of illegal immigrants entering Ireland back to the UK.

Sunak emphasized, “We’re not interested in that. We’re not going to accept returns from the EU via Ireland when the EU doesn’t accept returns back to France where illegal migrants are coming from.”

He added, “I’m determined to get the Rwanda scheme up and running because I want a deterrent.”

When asked about a reciprocal deal with the EU to return illegal immigrants to France, Sunak replied, “No. I’m focused solely on implementing our Rwanda scheme. I want a deterrent that clearly states that coming to our country illegally will result in removal to either your home country or Rwanda if it’s safe.”

He expressed confidence that the scheme would be effective.

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Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin recently attributed the increase in illegal immigrants leaving the UK for Ireland to the “Rwanda effect,” where individuals avoid being sent to Rwanda.

The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act recently became law without any flights to Kigali yet departed. Sunak noted that reports of illegal immigrants moving from the UK to Ireland indicate the scheme is already making an impact.

Relationship With Ireland

Martin and UK Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris met in London for a British–Irish Intergovernmental Conference to discuss these matters.

Heaton-Harris stated during a press briefing that the British government would closely monitor the situation and collaborate with the Irish government.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with Ireland and reiterated their joint commitment to safeguarding the common travel area.

McEntee, Ireland’s justice minister, claimed that over 80 percent of recent illegal immigrants entering from Northern Ireland had increased. However, Martin contested this assertion at a Westminster press conference, pointing out that the 80 percent figure lacked statistical or evidence-based support.

During the BIIGC, Martin clarified, “It is very clear from the presentations of migrants that there’s a change in the nature of where migrants have come from.”

Martin further explained that there had been a shift in migration patterns, indicating a change in the origin of migrants.

Labour’s shadow foreign secretary David Lammy cautioned against premature judgments on the effectiveness of the Rwanda plan, suggesting that warmer weather might lead to more Channel crossings.

Lammy asserted, “It’s too soon to claim success based on a few individuals moving to Dublin. That’s unlikely to be the case.”

PA Media contributed to this report.