UK Adds India to List of “Safe States” to Expedite Deportations
London, Nov 10: The UK government has announced its decision to include India in the list of “safe states,” a move aimed at accelerating the deportation process for individuals who have entered the UK illegally from India. As a result, all asylum claims from Indian nationals arriving through small boats or other illegal routes will be considered inadmissible, with no provision for appeals.
In an official statement, the UK Home Office highlighted that India, along with Georgia, will be added to the list of ‘safe states.’ The decision aligns with the government’s commitment to the “Illegal Migration Act 2023” and its efforts to curb illegal migration through boat arrivals.
According to the Home Office, the proposed legislation, presented in Parliament, aims to fortify the immigration system and prevent abuse, particularly in cases involving unfounded protection claims. The statement emphasized that the rise in small boat arrivals from India and Georgia in the past year, despite the absence of evident persecution risks, influenced the decision to categorize these countries as safe.
The UK Home Office noted that other nations previously deemed safe include Albania and Switzerland, as well as European Union and European Economic Area states. Home Secretary Suella Braverman emphasized the need to discourage dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK from countries considered fundamentally safe.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman stated, “Expanding this list will allow us to more swiftly remove people with no right to be here and sends a clear message that if you come here illegally, you cannot stay.” She reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing measures outlined in the Illegal Migration Act as part of the broader effort to combat illegal migration.
The designation of countries as safe under Section 80AA is contingent on the UK Home Secretary’s satisfaction that there is generally no serious risk of persecution for nationals of that country. Additionally, removal of nationals to that country must align with the UK’s obligations under the Human Rights Convention. The designation process is subject to the draft affirmative procedure, allowing for parliamentary scrutiny through debates before the measure takes effect.
This move reflects the UK government’s ongoing efforts to streamline immigration processes and address challenges associated with illegal migration.
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