In a recent interview with Sky News' Sunday Morning, Rishi Sunak emphasized the effectiveness of his flagship Rwanda plan, citing migrants' relocation to Ireland as evidence of its deterrence.

The Prime Minister echoed this sentiment, defending the scheme against criticism and highlighting concerns among migrants about coming to the UK.

Deputy Irish Premier Micheal Martin raised alarms about the UK's asylum policy, suggesting it compelled migrants to cross from Northern Ireland into the Republic. Sunak responded, stating, "The deterrent is ... already having an impact because people are worried about coming here."

Under the current travel arrangements, the lack of border documentation is cited by the Irish government as the reason behind 80% of asylum seekers in Ireland originating from Northern Ireland.

When questioned about whether the UK is merely displacing the issue, Sunak reiterated his focus on securing UK borders. He emphasized that illegal migration is a global issue and defended the effectiveness of the deterrent, asserting that the Rwanda scheme is pivotal in curbing illegal entries.

The government's Rwanda Bill, aimed at deporting asylum seekers to East Africa, recently became law, with plans for the first flights scheduled this summer. However, Downing Street cautioned against premature conclusions regarding the plan's impact on migration patterns into Ireland, emphasizing ongoing monitoring.

Despite setbacks in flight implementation timelines, Sunak remains committed to the Rwanda plan. Meanwhile, Irish ministers have observed a surge in migrants crossing the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, with Justice Minister Helen McEntee reporting that over 80% of crossings now originate from Northern Ireland. Photo by Jonathan Serex, Wikimedia commons.