UK to add India to its list of safest countries, no asylum for illegal migrants
London: The UK government has unveiled a plan to add India to an expanded list of safe countries, which will expedite the process of repatriating Indians traveling illegally from the country and eliminate their chances of seeking asylum in the UK. In the draft law presented in the House of Commons on Wednesday, India and Georgia have been included as countries to be added to the list.
The UK Home Office stated that the move aims to strengthen the country’s immigration system and prevent people from making baseless security claims and abusing the system. Home Secretary Suella Braverman said, “We must prevent people from making dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK from safer countries.”
“Expanding this list will assist us in removing individuals who do not have the right to stay here more quickly. It sends a clear message that if you arrive here illegally, you cannot stay. We are committed to taking measures in our Migration Act, which will play a role in combating illegal migration.”
This move aligns with measures to fulfill British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to “prevent boats” of migrants from landing illegally on the country’s shores.