
Originally Posted by
MadAmster
Answering questions is never easy. My answer is yes and no.
No? The borders shouldn't be open to all and sundry. There has to be a process in place. Unfortunately, HMG has orchestrated a system whereby it's damned nigh impossible for these people to apply for asylum in the UK. Some of them still believe the streets are paved with gold. Others don't speak any of the EU languages but speak English and/or have friends/relatives in the UK. They really should be applying for asylum at their local UK Embassy/Consulate, if possible. Very often it's not. Failing that, HMG should have systems in place inside the EU where people can apply for asylum. They pass we bring them over. They fail, they go elsewhere. Unfortunately, all the failures will then try the small boat route.
Yes, there will, more than likely, always be people trying the small boat route. Those people, if one is humane, can't be left floating (or sinking) on the high seas. Those you need to bring in, if you are a civilised society. Those who manage to reach the shore, take them in. They should be put up in very basic accommodation like old, disused army barracks etc. Asylum requests should be, as TTR says, be dealt with inside 2 weeks. I realise that such a term would mean employing many more Border Force staff. Those that get accepted stay. Those that don't get deported. The trouble there is that HMG has repatriation "contracts" with Albania, Albania and Albania along with Rwanda. Give failed asylum seekers a choice of where they wish to go. Their home country, Rwanda or a safe country in their home region. All of course dependent on their chosen country being prepared to take them in.
Our, natural, civilised and humane way of thinking makes us vulnerable to folk who refuse to make that choice, in which case it might be decided for them.
Personally, if I was in their position and wanted to come to the UK, I'd probably go the boat route and destroy my passport. The current rules and processes, or, to be more exact, the lack thereof, would dictate that to be my best option. Basically, I understand it. That does not say I condone it.
TTR, Poland? Really? They may be somewhat reticent to take in people from Africa/Asia, however, they are currently housing in excess of 5 million Ukrainians. They are doing their bit, IMO.
Apparently, Rwanda isn't scaring people from taking to the boats. They know it's a possibility but they are prepared to take the risk. Will that remain the case once half a dozen flights of deportees have taken place? Depends on how desperate they are...