The United Kingdom (UK) Home Office will speed up the processing of asylum claims for migrants who were slated for Rwanda relocation.
It aims to clear the backlog and provide prompt responses to individuals who have been waiting years for a decision on their claims.
The Rwanda relocation program aimed to discourage illegal entry into the UK via the English Channel.
The Rwanda plan proposed that those who came to the UK illegally, such as via small boats, and claimed asylum, would be sent to Rwanda.
Their asylum claims would be processed in the East African country. If approved, these migrants will also stay in Rwanda.
New Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer abolished the Rwanda scheme when he took office on Downing Street.
Fast-tracking asylum claims processing
Thousands of asylum seekers who have been waiting for a decision on their claims for more than two years will now have their cases decided in the UK.
The UK government had piled up a backlog of 90,000 asylum claims, mostly from people who have come from conflict zones.
These include individuals feeling conflict in Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, and Sudan.
The decision was announced on 19 July during a high court challenge by two asylum seekers, as reported by The Guardian.
It came after the new Home Secretary Yvette Cooper pledged to prioritize and speed up the processing of asylum claims of those under the Rwanda scheme.
Speaking at the House of Commons on 22 July, Cooper revealed that the Home Office had stopped processing asylum claims in April 2023.
Due to a large backlog of pending asylum applications, thousands of migrants stay in short-term lodgings, such as hotels, while awaiting case decisions.
This setup has been costing the UK government much money, which the new Home Office intends to put in order.
Lawyers of asylum seekers welcomed the development for their clients, and others threatened to be deported to Rwanda.
The Home Secretary’s pledge and the Home Office’s swift action will allow asylum seekers to move on with their lives.
Replacing the Rwanda scheme
Cooper also detailed the steps the new government is undertaking to replace the Rwanda Law and tackle illegal migration.
The UK government had formally informed the Rwandan government that it would end their migration partnership.
It aims to salvage funds from the Rwanda scheme and redirect them to efforts to enhance border security.
The government will also overhaul the asylum system to clear backlogs and end using hotels to house migrants awaiting the decision on their claims.
It is also introducing new legislation for fast-track decisions and returns to safe countries.
Cooper had previously announced the creation of the new Border Security Command (BSC).
It will bring together the Border Force, the National Crime Agency, the small boats operational command, and intelligence and security officers.
It will focus on stopping illegal immigration by improving surveillance and making border checks more efficient.
The UK government will also deploy more cross-border officers, investigators, prosecutors, and intelligence and security officers.
They will work with the new counter-terror-style powers against organized immigration crime detailed in a new bill.
In the King’s Speech last week, King Charles announced the new Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill.
The BSC will also increase international cooperation to stop the gangs that commit migration crimes.
This means increasing UK officers’ involvement in Europol and the European Migrant Smuggling Centre.
The focus will now be on a robust returns and enforcement program, targeting illegal working and increasing deportations.
It will also work with European partners to address the root causes of migration.
Cooper stated that it will take time to reduce the asylum backlog, lower costs, and strengthen borders to prevent dangerous boat crossings.
She stressed, “We cannot waste any more time or money on gimmicks,”
Future of the UK’s asylum system
The Home Office’s decision to fast-track asylum claims for those slated for Rwanda relocation marks a huge policy shift.
It aims to address approximately 90,000 pending cases while ensuring fairness and justice for all.
This plan is part of more extensive efforts to reform the asylum system and make it more efficient.
Starmer also recently expressed openness to considering offshore asylum processing to prevent migrants from coming to the UK.
The new UK Prime Minister said he would “look at what works and where cases can be processed closer to origin.”
Despite the Rwanda scheme, more people are still illegally arriving in the country through the English Channel than ever before.
Over 12,000 individuals have crossed the English Channel this year in small vessels, with more people arriving daily.