Migrants to bypass Rwanda and be sent straight back

TURKISH, Egyptian and Iraqi Kurdish migrants who enter the UK illegally could be instantly deported to their home countries under plans being considered to expand the official list of “safe” countries.

It means all three nationalities, which are among the top 10 countries for migrants crossing the Channel to the UK this year, would bypass Rwanda.

Illegal migrants from the three nations account for nearly 4,000 arrivals, or a fifth of the total by the end of August this year, according to official data analysed by the Refugee Council.

Adding the nations to the safe country list alongside EU nations Switzerland and Albania, would make it easier to reject asylum claims and return them to their homelands.

The move comes ahead of this week’s supreme court judgment on the legality of the Government’s Rwanda deportation scheme which has been stalled since it was blocked by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the summer last year.

If it is given the go ahead, the first flights are expected in the New Year.

If it is ruled unlawful, senior ministers and Tory MPs are expected to press for the UK to quit the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

An expanded safe list would probably form part of any Plan B in the event of a defeat, as it would make it easier to deport migrants back to their home countries.

If successful, it would probably reduce the number that would have to be sent to Rwanda, easing pressure on the central African state.

Last week Suella Braverman announced India and Georgia had been added to the UK’s list of “safe” countries to which illegal migrants can be returned, after a surge in crossings.

Turkey accounted for 2,121 Channel migrants in the eight months to the end of August this year while Egyptians numbered 679.

It is believed both countries are being “actively considered” for inclusion on the safe list.

The UK has also been in talks with Turkey over establishing an Albanian-style fast-track returns agreement following a deal struck earlier this year to boost coordination between the two countries over tackling people-smuggling gangs.

Iraq accounted for 1,774 migrants crossing the Channel up to the end of August, but it would be more complex to place the country on the safe list because of the continuing sectarian violence.

It is understood that Home Office officials have been asked to examine the feasibility in recognition of the fact that 80 per cent of Iraqi failed asylum seekers are Kurdish.