Cross-Channel Illegal Migration 2020-09-28
2020-09-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerns about migrants crossing illegally, posing safety risks and straining resources.
What steps her Department is taking to stop migrants crossing the English Channel illegally. I am concerned about the number of people crossing the channel illegally, which poses significant safety risks and strains our resources.
The Government are committed to ending completely these dangerous crossings facilitated by ruthless criminals. Our clandestine channel threat commander is working closely with French authorities to stop embarkations in the first place, and we are also working tirelessly to return people who have made this journey.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Legal system challenges in handling immigration and asylum cases, leading to repeated vexatious legal claims.
Can he say when legislation will be brought forward to update immigration and asylum law, including provisions to stop illegal entrants from applying to stay? The current legal system is not fit for purpose regarding asylum and immigration enforcement matters due to repeatedly vexatious legal claims at the last minute.
We are working on legislative options in relation to my hon. Friend's suggestions, and everything is currently being considered.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or bill details were not provided.
Legislation Under Consideration
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Representations to European partners for cooperation in enforcing obligations and returning illegal migrants.
What representations is my hon. Friend making to our European partners regarding the return of illegal migrants and following through with obligations? My constituents are angry about images of people arriving illegally, often due to lack of compliance by European partners who have obligations under Dublin regulations.
We are working with other European countries for returns and tabled a draft readmissions agreement. Once the transition period ends, efforts to return illegal migrants will be intensified.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific representations made or current status were not detailed.
Working On Agreements
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Pursuit of justice against criminals enabling illegal crossings while upholding obligations to genuine asylum seekers.
Does the Minister agree that, while we must uphold our obligations to genuine asylum seekers, there can be no justifiable reason for migrants crossing when France is a safe option? We must bring criminals facilitating these dangerous journeys to justice.
My hon. Friend's statement aligns with our goals; we are pursuing 24 criminal facilitators this year, protecting genuine asylum seekers under resettlement schemes.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment to specific actions against criminals was provided.
Criminal Prosecution Ongoing
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Need to make the channel-crossing route untenable for people smugglers.
What steps is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that the illegal crossing route becomes entirely untenable and illustrates loud and clear to organised crime gangs that Britain's border is closed? People smugglers are promoting this dangerous route, putting lives at risk.
Our objective is to make this route completely unviable; we are working with French authorities and looking into tactics for preventing crossings and returning individuals.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions or timelines provided.
Route Unviability Plans
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Public concern over illegal crossings from the English Channel into Stoke-on-Trent.
Does my hon. Friend agree that asylum should be claimed in the first safe country, such as France, and that we should deport those here illegally? People across Stoke-on-Trent are extremely concerned about this issue.
My hon. Friend is absolutely right; France is a safe country, people should claim asylum there, and we use legal means to return those who have entered illegally.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy