UK plans on sending migrants to Balkans
(MENAFN) The UK government is exploring a plan to relocate failed asylum seekers to Western Balkan nations, according to a report by The Times. The proposal comes as Britain continues to struggle with the ongoing migrant crisis in the English Channel.
Under the plan, countries such as Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia would be compensated for accepting migrants who have been refused asylum in the UK. These “return hubs” would serve as holding centers for individuals from nations with which Britain lacks repatriation agreements.
•Migrants from unsafe countries under UK law—such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Somalia—could be sent to these offshore hubs rather than deported directly.
•Failed asylum seekers from so-called safe nations, including Vietnam, Pakistan, and India, could be temporarily detained in these hubs while arrangements are made for their deportation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly looking to coordinate with other European nations exploring similar offshore processing systems. The Netherlands, for instance, is negotiating with Uganda to establish a migrant hub.
This latest effort follows the collapse of the UK’s controversial Rwanda deportation plan, which was scrapped in July 2024 after the Labour Party defeated the Conservatives in the elections. Starmer declared the scheme “dead”, rejecting former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s argument that it would “stop the boats.” The UK Supreme Court had previously ruled the Rwanda plan illegal, citing safety concerns.
The government’s broader immigration policies, including increased enforcement, deportation flights, and stricter border controls, have faced backlash. Critics argue that these measures are ineffective, costly, and inhumane, failing to address the complexity of migration or the human dignity of asylum seekers.
Meanwhile, polls show immigration remains one of the top concerns for UK citizens, with 72% believing the government is handling it poorly.
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