It was one of the promises of the pro-Brexit camp.
While leaving the EU has put an end to free movement between the kingdom and the continent, Boris Johnson announced on Monday a hardening of the British asylum system.
One of the main ideas is to discourage illegal entry of migrants by penalizing them in their requests.
Read also: When the British authorities planned to send the migrants to Saint Helena
In front of the House of Commons, Home Secretary Priti Patel unveiled this
“new immigration plan”
, billed as
“the biggest overhaul of the UK asylum system in decades”
.
Depending on how they entered the country, migrants will no longer be treated the same and granted the same rights.
Those who entered illegally will not receive an automatic right to installation but only a temporary protection status.
Their rights to family reunification and their access to social benefits will be limited.
And those whose asylum application is refused will be expelled
"quickly"
from the country.
“Today we are moving forward in our commitment to fight illegal entry, punish smugglers and protect those who genuinely need refuge,”
Boris Johnson tweeted.
Priti Patel praised a
"fairer but firmer" system
.
At the same time,
“legal and secure”
avenues
to seek asylum in the UK will be put in place to help people who are actually victims of persecution.
"Offshore detention centers"
The smugglers will risk a life sentence.
A number of associations, including the British Red Cross, have denounced an
"unfair two-tier system"
.
The Labor opposition is talking about measures lacking in compassion and which will not deter dangerous crossings.
London argues that the British asylum system is now
"overwhelmed"
.
Last year some 8,500 people crossed the Channel in a small boat and more than 30,000 asylum applications were lodged, with the largest contingents coming from Iran, Albania and Iraq.
For the Home Secretary, EU countries have a
"moral duty to help"
Britain to fight against illegal immigration by taking back rejected asylum seekers.
Brexit put an end to the provisions that made returns to France or another European country possible.
And we do not know when a new agreement on the subject will be made with Brussels or in a bilateral framework.
Read also: The United Kingdom "takes back control" of its borders
Priti Patel confirmed that there are plans to create
“offshore detention centers”
for illegally entered and refused asylum seekers.
Among the options, third countries or territories like Gibraltar.
The press even mentioned the British Isles Atlantic trail or the use of old ferries.
