The UK will not be taking back asylum seekers from Ireland, as stated by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a session in the House of Commons. The Irish government had argued that there has been an increase in the number of asylum seekers coming into Northern Ireland from Ireland, and that the UK has a duty to take them back. However, the Prime Minister clarified that legally, the UK has no obligation to do so.
The Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee announced that 100 police officers would be released from desk duties to work on frontline immigration enforcement after claiming that an increasing number of asylum seekers were entering Ireland from Northern Ireland simply because they fear being sent to Rwanda. The UK has refused to take back asylum seekers from Ireland, stating it will only do so if France agrees to take back those coming from the UK.
Following Brexit, the 310-mile land border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic is the only one between the UK and the EU. While both governments have agreed that returning to security posts is not advisable since it could endanger the Good Friday Agreement, Ireland has accused the UK of not upholding agreements made by both parties.
The UK has made a commitment to avoid a hard border, but Mr Sunak stated that the Irish government must also keep their promises. He said that they could not conduct selective agreements that are essential to international commitments. The Prime Minister argued that having a rigorous approach to illegal migration would deter others, and that communities should instead come together to create stronger external borders
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