As of: 11/01/2022 5:24 p.m
British Home Secretary Braverman is known for her tough course on migration policy. In connection with refugees, she now spoke of an “invasion”. Sharp criticism comes from the opposition – Prime Minister Sunak is also keeping his distance.
Britain’s Home Secretary Suella Braverman is considered controversial because of her tough stance against migrants. She has been criticized for this on several occasions. Now she has been offended again with statements about refugees.
Braverman yesterday justified adverse conditions at a reception center by saying Britain was facing “an invasion of our southern coast” by migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. “Illegal immigration is out of control,” she said. One must stop pretending that everyone is a refugee in need.
The opposition then accused her of promoting right-wing extremist and racist ideas. A spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Sunak had made it clear at a cabinet meeting that Britain will always be a caring, welcoming country.
Reception center completely overcrowded
The House of Commons debated conditions at the Manston reception center in south-east England yesterday. The facility is designed for 1,600 people, but currently around 4,000 people are housed there. Actually, newcomers should only stay 24 hours until their data is taken and they can be transferred to permanent housing. Refugee relief groups say some were stuck in the overcrowded shelter for weeks.
Bravermann has come under massive pressure because of her handling of the situation in the reception center. The Department of Immigration let it be known that the government can no longer keep up with the procurement of hotel rooms. According to media reports, Braverman has refused further bookings – especially where the Tories hold a direct mandate. According to the government, a “large number” of asylum seekers have now been taken to other facilities.
Immigration Minister calls for more radical means
Immigration Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News that Braverman’s testimony was simply to show the scale of the challenge. But Jenrick also emphasized: “In a job like mine you have to choose your words very carefully. And I would never demonize people who come to this country in search of a better life.”
He admitted that conditions at the Kent detention center were poor. There are too many people there because many migrants come into the country illegally across the English Channel every day, Jenrick said. The government, on the other hand, wants to use “more radical” means, he told the BBC. “The UK can no longer be a magnet for economic migrants.” Illegal migrants should be able to be turned back quickly and discouraged from entering the Kingdom.
deportations to Rwanda
In 2021, just over 48,000 people applied for asylum in Great Britain – fewer than in Germany, France or Spain. But the number of illegal entries in small boats or hidden in trucks is increasing – around 40,000 so far this year. In 2021 there were 28,000 for the whole year and 8,500 in 2020. The conservative government wants to fly migrants to Rwanda regardless of their asylum status.
Braverman was previously Secretary of the Interior in the cabinet of Sunak’s predecessor, Liz Truss. However, she resigned almost two weeks ago because of the disclosure of secret documents to unauthorized persons. This move hastened Truss’ downfall. Despite breaching safety regulations, Braverman was reappointed to office shortly afterwards by the new Prime Minister Sunak.