Plans to expedite Albanian migrants leaving the UK in small boats were in disarray last night.
When Albanians cross the Channel from northern France, the Home Office announced a pact with Tirana to bring them home as soon as possible.
The measures, however, will not be applicable to those who submit asylum petitions, according to UK Government attorneys.
The information became public as a result of legal action taken by the charity for migrants Care4Calais, which is also embroiled in a separate legal battle against the government’s proposal to provide asylum applicants one-way tickets to Rwanda.
The Government’s legal department stated in a letter to the charity’s attorneys that the fast-track plans for Albania “do not apply to asylum seekers.”
According to Care4Calais’ Clare Moseley, “The Government has made a significant climbdown.” They acknowledge that residents of Albania have the right to request asylum and to have their request thoroughly considered.
However, insiders at the Home Office claimed they were unconcerned by the news. According to one source, the majority of Albanians arriving in the UK do not apply for asylum because they do not want to risk deportation to Rwanda. Most people are instead employing different strategies to sabotage the removal process.
It is expected that Channel immigrants who assert without evidence that they are victims of modern slavery will continue to be subject to the fast-track program.
Albanians who are unlawfully present in the UK include failed asylum applicants, criminals from other countries, and people who are overstaying their visas, according to a Home Office official.
The validity of the Rwanda transaction is being contested by Care4Calais in a separate court review.
It was disclosed yesterday (MON) that the Rwanda scheme is anticipated to be delayed for up to a year due to legal hurdles.