UK's Sunak vows to clear asylum backlog, return Albanians
2 years, 3 months ago

UK's Sunak vows to clear asylum backlog, return Albanians

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged Tuesday to clear a backlog of asylum-seeker applications as he announced new measures aimed at curbing the number of migrants reaching the U.K. by crossing the English Channel on small boats. He said Britain received formal assurances from Albania's government that “they will protect genuine victims and people at risk of re-trafficking, allowing us to detain and return people to Albania with confidence.” The British government's focus on Albanian migrants recently angered Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who said the U.K. should “stop discriminating” against people from his country to excuse its own migration policy failures. Sunak added that new laws would be introduced next year to ensure only those entering the U.K. through “safe and legal” routes have the right to claim asylum. Sunak’s approach “would close down access to asylum in the U.K. for all but a few,” the UNHCR’s assistant high commissioner for protection, Gillian Triggs, said.

British Refugee Asylum Sunak Small Boats Albanian  breaking  return  safe  albanian  uks  backlog  albanians  clear  vows  refugee  sign  migrants  uk  asylum  small  sunak

History of this topic

Italian court refers asylum seekers’ case to ECJ in challenge to Meloni’s migrant deal with Albania
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Italian court refers asylum seekers’ case to ECJ in challenge to Meloni’s migrant deal with Albania

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An Italian appeals court on …

Court ruling is setback for Italy’s plan to send asylum seekers to Albania
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Court ruling is setback for Italy’s plan to send asylum seekers to Albania

Al Jazeera  

Under the deal, people from ‘safe’ countries are to be held in Albania while their claims for asylum are processed. Seven asylum seekers have been sent back to Italy from Albania after a court in Rome refused a formal request to detain them in the Balkan nation, a setback for a contentious programme championed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. …

Albania says only Italy is allowed to operate migrant asylum centers in the country
5 months, 1 week ago

Albania says only Italy is allowed to operate migrant asylum centers in the country

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Albania's prime minister on Tuesday …

From August, migrants seeking refuge in Italy could be taken to Albania pending asylum decisions
7 months, 3 weeks ago

From August, migrants seeking refuge in Italy could be taken to Albania pending asylum decisions

Associated Press  

GJADER, Albania — Migrants rescued at sea while attempting to reach Italy may see themselves transported to Albania beginning next month while their asylum claims are processed, under a controversial deal in which the small Balkan country will host thousands of asylum-seekers on Italy’s behalf. Speaking during a visit to Albania in June, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the …

UK’s Cameron praises progress in joint effort with Albania to stop illegal migration
10 months ago

UK’s Cameron praises progress in joint effort with Albania to stop illegal migration

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — British Foreign Secretary David Cameron hailed progress in a U.K.-Albania joint effort to cut illegal migration, saying small boat arrivals from Albania to the U.K. fell by over 90% in 2023 as the two countries fought people smuggling gangs, according to a Foreign Office statement. The statement said “the partnership between the U.K. and Albania stands out …

Rishi Sunak will not take back migrants because of general election, says Irish PM
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Rishi Sunak will not take back migrants because of general election, says Irish PM

The Telegraph  

The Irish prime minister has said that Britain agreed to take back its asylum seekers but suggested Rishi Sunak won’t admit it because of the upcoming elections. On Tuesday, Simon Harris warned Mr Sunak that there was “legitimate expectation” that the UK would honour the post-Brexit agreement on migrant returns. The Prime Minister has already ruled out accepting any returns …

Ireland looking to send asylum seekers back to UK: Report
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Ireland looking to send asylum seekers back to UK: Report

Al Jazeera  

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says it’s evidence that his plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is acting as a deterrent. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told Sky News it was evidence that London’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is acting as a deterrent. The spokesperson added that the Irish PM had asked his justice minister “to …

The EU is watching Albania’s deal to hold asylum seekers for Italy. Rights activists are worried
1 year, 1 month ago

The EU is watching Albania’s deal to hold asylum seekers for Italy. Rights activists are worried

Associated Press  

MILAN — Albania has agreed to host two migrant processing centers on its territory that will be fully run by Italy, under a deal that worries many human rights activists. In January Italy’s lower chamber of parliament approved the novel deal with non-EU member Albania, followed a month later by the Senate. WHAT’S KNOWN ABOUT THE DEAL Under a five-year …

Albania approves contested deal to hold asylum seekers for Italy
1 year, 1 month ago

Albania approves contested deal to hold asylum seekers for Italy

Al Jazeera  

Rights groups criticise agreement that could see up to 36,000 people a year held in Italian-run asylum-processing centres. Albania’s Parliament has approved a deal signed with Italy that will see authorities hold thousands of asylum seekers rescued in international waters while their applications are processed, drawing criticism from human rights groups. Under the agreement, Albania would hold up to 3,000 …

Italy's upper chamber gives final OK to deal with Albania to house migrants during asylum process
1 year, 1 month ago

Italy's upper chamber gives final OK to deal with Albania to house migrants during asylum process

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Italian Senate on Thursday …

Rishi Sunak engulfed by row over ‘false’ asylum statistics as 100,000 migrants still stuck in backlog
1 year, 2 months ago

Rishi Sunak engulfed by row over ‘false’ asylum statistics as 100,000 migrants still stuck in backlog

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It came as: A rift opened up between Mr Sunak and Mr Cleverly as …

Migration experts say Italy's deal to have Albania house asylum-seekers violates international law
1 year, 4 months ago

Migration experts say Italy's deal to have Albania house asylum-seekers violates international law

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Migration experts and activists on …

Migration experts say Italy’s deal to have Albania house asylum seekers follows worrying trend
1 year, 4 months ago

Migration experts say Italy’s deal to have Albania house asylum seekers follows worrying trend

LA Times  

Migration experts and activists this week panned an agreement between Italy and Albania that would direct thousands of migrants to the Balkan nation while their asylum applications are under review, saying it follows a worrying trend of European Union nations trying to manage migration by looking beyond the bloc’s borders. The European Commission, which supervises the application of European Union …

UK to house hundreds more migrants on barges, Sunak says
1 year, 9 months ago

UK to house hundreds more migrants on barges, Sunak says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The U.K. government will house …

UK to house hundreds more migrants on barges, Sunak says
1 year, 9 months ago

UK to house hundreds more migrants on barges, Sunak says

Associated Press  

LONDON — The U.K. government will house hundreds more asylum-seekers on barges, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Monday, as he unveiled the latest migration figures that he said showed that his plans to crack down on small boat crossings on the English Channel are working. Two more barges will house about 1,000 migrants, Sunak said, alongside one that’s set to …

Rishi Sunak hails success of ‘stop the boats’ campaign
1 year, 9 months ago

Rishi Sunak hails success of ‘stop the boats’ campaign

The Telegraph  

Rishi Sunak is set to claim that the Government’s crackdown on illegal migration is starting to work, with figures understood to show Albanians now make up as few as one per cent of those crossing the Channel. The numbers are down from around 30 per cent of Channel arrivals last year to one or two per cent in the first …

Eager young Albanians risk everything for new future in UK
2 years ago

Eager young Albanians risk everything for new future in UK

Associated Press  

BAJRAM CURRI, Albania — Monika Mulaj’s son was in his second year of college in Albania, studying to become a mechanical engineer, when he resolved to make a daring change: He told his parents he would leave his lifelong home for a new future in Britain. The deputy mayor of Bajram Curri, Abedin Kernaja, said young people leave because of …

PM tells Rishi Sunak he wants Albanians in UK to feel ‘honoured’
2 years ago

PM tells Rishi Sunak he wants Albanians in UK to feel ‘honoured’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Albania’s prime minister said he wants all Albanians in the …

U.K.'s Sunak pledges to stop cross-Channel migrants
2 years ago

U.K.'s Sunak pledges to stop cross-Channel migrants

The Hindu  

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday vowed to remove illegal migrants within weeks under a controversial new plan to stop people crossing the Channel illegally on small boats. If you come to the UK illegally: ➡️ You can't claim asylum ➡️ You can't benefit from our modern slavery protections ➡️ You can't make spurious human rights claims ➡️ You …

Rishi Sunak’s plan to stop small-boat crossings breaks international law, UN says
2 years ago

Rishi Sunak’s plan to stop small-boat crossings breaks international law, UN says

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rishi Sunak’s proposals to deport asylum seekers without considering their …

Asylum units ordered to only process Albanian cases in push to speed up deportations
2 years, 1 month ago

Asylum units ordered to only process Albanian cases in push to speed up deportations

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “ isn’t applied to claimants from other countries equally.” Of the more than 140,000 …

Tirana protests UK official’s ‘verbal lynching’ of Albanians
2 years, 2 months ago

Tirana protests UK official’s ‘verbal lynching’ of Albanians

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — Albania on Monday handed a verbal note to the British ambassador to Tirana to protest what it called a “verbal lynching” by a U.K. official in comments about Albanian immigrants in the country. The paper expressed “concern on the last statement of the Minister of State for Immigration Robert Jenrick with discriminatory language about Albanians.” Over the …

4 confirmed dead as migrant boat capsizes in English Channel
2 years, 3 months ago

4 confirmed dead as migrant boat capsizes in English Channel

Associated Press  

LONDON — A small boat laden with migrants capsized in the dark in the English Channel Wednesday, killing four and increasing calls on the British government to do more to prevent people from risking their lives trying to cross one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. “This is a truly tragic incident.” The British government has been under pressure to …

British PM Rishi Sunak unveils 5-step illegal immigration clampdown
2 years, 3 months ago

British PM Rishi Sunak unveils 5-step illegal immigration clampdown

The Hindu  

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, set out a new five-step strategy to clamp down on illegal immigration, with a promise to end the government's backlog of asylum applications by the end of next year. “The Prime Minister of Albania has himself said there is no reason why we cannot return Albanian asylum seekers immediately,” said …

4 dead after migrant boat capsizes in freezing waters of the English Channel
2 years, 3 months ago

4 dead after migrant boat capsizes in freezing waters of the English Channel

LA Times  

A small boat laden with migrants capsized in the dark in the English Channel on Wednesday, killing four and prompting new calls for the British government to do more to prevent people from risking their lives trying to cross one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Helicopters and lifeboats raced from bases in southern England after authorities received reports of …

'I'll fix appalling asylum farce': Rishi Sunak vows to send back those arriving in UK illegally
2 years, 3 months ago

'I'll fix appalling asylum farce': Rishi Sunak vows to send back those arriving in UK illegally

Daily Mail  

The asylum system is 'not fair, not right and it needs to be fixed', Rishi Sunak said last night. Discussions: Rishi Sunak with a Border Force official in London Channel crisis: Migrants picked up by the RNLI at Dungeness in Kent 'I don't think that's right,' he declared. 'There's nothing fair about people coming here illegally, breaking the rules jumping …

Migration crackdown comes 8 months after laws the government said would ‘fix broken asylum system’
2 years, 3 months ago

Migration crackdown comes 8 months after laws the government said would ‘fix broken asylum system’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy “This landmark act will allow us to fix our broken …

UK’s Sunak vows to clear asylum backlog, return Albanians
2 years, 3 months ago

UK’s Sunak vows to clear asylum backlog, return Albanians

Associated Press  

LONDON — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged Tuesday to clear a backlog of asylum-seeker applications as he announced new measures aimed at curbing the number of migrants reaching the U.K. by crossing the English Channel on small boats. He said Britain received formal assurances from Albania’s government that “they will protect genuine victims and people at risk of re-trafficking, …

Albanians to face immediate removal from UK under tough new asylum rules
2 years, 3 months ago

Albanians to face immediate removal from UK under tough new asylum rules

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “And as we get a grip of illegal migration, we will create more of those …

UK PM Sunak Announces Crackdown on Albanian Migrants
2 years, 3 months ago

UK PM Sunak Announces Crackdown on Albanian Migrants

News 18  

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Tuesday Britain had agreed a new deal with Albania to crack down on the number of illegal migrants arriving on small boats, as part of measures to speed up the processing of asylum seekers. The number of Albanians arriving in England across the Channel has spiked in the last two years with government figures …

Rishi Sunak vows crackdown on Channel crossings
2 years, 3 months ago

Rishi Sunak vows crackdown on Channel crossings

Daily Mail  

Rishi Sunak today vowed 'enough is enough' on illegal immigration as he vowed to end the Channel crisis. After his statement to Parliament, Rishi Sunak visited the operations room of the new small boats command in central London Would-be migrants are brought ashore by a lifeboat in Dungeness a few days ago An Institute for Government analysis of how the …

Sunak to announce plans to tackle asylum backlog and Channel crossings
2 years, 3 months ago

Sunak to announce plans to tackle asylum backlog and Channel crossings

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to announce plans to …

UK PM announces new measures to curb ‘illegal’ immigration
2 years, 3 months ago

UK PM announces new measures to curb ‘illegal’ immigration

Al Jazeera  

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says will introduce legislation to halt people from remaining in the UK ‘illegally’. Sunak said a new unit would be created to tackle crossings and that in the future, asylum seekers would be housed in disused holiday parks, former student accommodation and surplus military sites rather than hotels. UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman recently called …

Rishi Sunak set to announce deal to speed up return of Albanian migrants
2 years, 3 months ago

Rishi Sunak set to announce deal to speed up return of Albanian migrants

The Telegraph  

Rishi Sunak is set to announce an Albanian immigration deal as soon as Tuesday that will speed up deportations to the Balkan state. He is expected to propose that putting Albania on a par with “safe” EU countries would pave the way for fast-track deportations of migrants from the country seeking asylum in the UK. Downing Street is also looking …

Labour vows fast-track crackdown on asylum claims from ‘safe’ countries
2 years, 3 months ago

Labour vows fast-track crackdown on asylum claims from ‘safe’ countries

The Independent  

Labour has promised to introduce a new fast-tracking process for migrants from Albania and other “safe” countries in a bid to clear the huge backlog of claims. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper accused the government of failing to “get any grip” – saying it was time for a fast-track system so “unfounded asylum claims can be rejected and returned in …

Robert Jenrick: Albanians should be barred from claiming asylum in the UK
2 years, 3 months ago

Robert Jenrick: Albanians should be barred from claiming asylum in the UK

The Telegraph  

His comments follow the first talks last week between Rishi Sunak and the Albanian prime minister, Edi Rama, during which they agreed to close “loopholes that are preventing the rapid return of failed asylum seekers.” Albanians comprise 30 per cent, or at least 12,000 of the record 44,000 Channel migrants this year, compared with 28,500 in 2021. Mr Jenrick also …

Albanian reveals how easy it was to 'blag' the UK refugee system
2 years, 4 months ago

Albanian reveals how easy it was to 'blag' the UK refugee system

Daily Mail  

An Albanian economic migrant has revealed how easily he was able to play the UK refugee system with crude lies - and win permission to live here legally for three years. Geri Bucr, 25, pictured, has revealed how he ‘blagged’ his way into the country using an Italian passport - even though he didn’t speak the language - then claimed …

Will promote skilled immigration, tackle illegal migration, says Rishi Sunak
2 years, 4 months ago

Will promote skilled immigration, tackle illegal migration, says Rishi Sunak

The Hindu  

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, on November 21, 2022, backed highly skilled migration to the U.K. while saying he would tackle illegal migration. ‘No Alignment with EU laws’: Sunak On the question of the trade deal with the European Union, the U.K.’s largest export market, and a loosening of immigration laws in response to U.K. labour shortages, Mr. Sunak said …

Albania: Wrong for Britain to blame Tirana on migrants
2 years, 4 months ago

Albania: Wrong for Britain to blame Tirana on migrants

Associated Press  

TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s prime minister said Tuesday that Britain is carrying out a “calculated attack” on his country by blaming it for the increased number of migrants crossing the English Channel. Ged McCann, intelligence manager at the National Crime Agency, said organized crime groups from Albania were “effectively bringing in the labor force” for illegal marijuana-growing operations in boats …

Sunak: ‘I will grip this challenge of illegal migration’
2 years, 4 months ago

Sunak: ‘I will grip this challenge of illegal migration’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rishi Sunak has vowed to “grip this challenge of illegal …

Albania’s PM slams UK for ‘discrimination’ after migrant remarks
2 years, 4 months ago

Albania’s PM slams UK for ‘discrimination’ after migrant remarks

Al Jazeera  

The criticism comes after a top British official singles out Albanians for their role in illicit migration to the UK. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has criticised the British government for allegedly “discriminating” against Albanians, after a top UK official singled out the nationality for their role in illicit migration to the country. ‘Targeting Albanians’ In a series of messages …

Braverman told to stop targeting Albanians to ‘excuse failures’ by nation’s PM
2 years, 4 months ago

Braverman told to stop targeting Albanians to ‘excuse failures’ by nation’s PM

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy …

Gross mistreatment of asylum seekers seems to be part of Sunak’s plan
2 years, 4 months ago

Gross mistreatment of asylum seekers seems to be part of Sunak’s plan

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Whether or …

‘Exponential rise’ in Albanian migrants crossing the Channel this year
2 years, 5 months ago

‘Exponential rise’ in Albanian migrants crossing the Channel this year

The Telegraph  

So far this year, 38,000 people have arrived in the UK in 936 small boats. Tim Loughton, Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said during the meeting: “A vast number of people are still not knowing if their claims are going to be successful or not and are residing in the UK at taxpayers’ expense.” Despite being paid £54million …

Albania asylum guidance under review after home secretary says ‘trafficking claims are lies’
2 years, 5 months ago

Albania asylum guidance under review after home secretary says ‘trafficking claims are lies’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A review of the Home Office guidance used to decide …

Albanian asylum seekers will not be fast tracked for deportation in Home Office U-turn
2 years, 5 months ago

Albanian asylum seekers will not be fast tracked for deportation in Home Office U-turn

The Independent  

The Home Office has admitted that Albanian asylum-seekers cannot be fast-tracked for deportation despite Priti Patel’s promise to “speed up” their removal. The comments were made in a letter to the refugee charity Care4Calais, who noted: “As virtually all Albanian refugees arriving will seek asylum, this makes the proposed policy insignificant.” At the end of August, Ms Patel, who was …

‘Substantial’ increase in Albanians arriving in UK after Channel crossings
2 years, 7 months ago

‘Substantial’ increase in Albanians arriving in UK after Channel crossings

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nearly 6,000 Albanians are thought to have crossed the Channel …

UK to ‘fast track’ deportations of Albanian asylum seekers
2 years, 7 months ago

UK to ‘fast track’ deportations of Albanian asylum seekers

Al Jazeera  

UK’s home secretary unveils new measures aiming to deter Albanians from crossing the English Channel in small boats. The United Kingdom has announced plans to “fast-track” the deportation of Albanian asylum seekers as authorities attempt to tackle a surge in people crossing the English Channel in small boats. British immigration officers will immediately process asylum claims made by Albanians entering …

Albanian ambassador denies that country will hold Britain’s asylum seekers
3 years, 4 months ago

Albanian ambassador denies that country will hold Britain’s asylum seekers

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. However, Mr Qirko said the reports were “100 per cent fake”, adding: “I have …

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