Ireland wants to send asylum seekers who have crossed from the United Kingdom back across the border

Ireland is struggling with a large influx of asylum seekers crossing the unguarded border from the United Kingdom. According to the Irish government, this is partly the result of British plans to transfer unwanted foreigners to Rwanda. Immigration is causing increasing discontent in Ireland, which has manifested itself in protests and disturbances. The dissatisfaction is reinforced by a serious lack of housing in Ireland. In the capital Dublin, tents where refugees sleep are now part of the street scene.

The influx from the United Kingdom indicates that there is fear among asylum seekers of being sent to Rwanda. This deportation policy was approved by the British Parliament last week and the first flights are expected to depart this summer. Because there is traditionally no border control between the British Isles, it is easy for asylum seekers to seek refuge in Ireland. During the Brexit negotiations, the Irish government had strongly opposed a hard border.

With the emergency law, the Irish government wants to circumvent a court ruling. In a case brought by two asylum seekers, Judge Siobhan Phelan ruled last month that the UK was not a ‘safe country’ to send people back to because they would then run the risk of being deported to Rwanda. That African country, the British Supreme Court had ruled, is not safe for refugees. The Irish bill will cause tensions between London and Dublin.