The Reverse ‘Rwanda Effect’

Hundreds of migrants have been detained after attempting to get into the UK by crossing the border from Ireland – an apparent reversal of the trend that saw asylum make the opposite journey to evade deportation to Rwanda.

Officials claim that criminal gangs are charging up to €8,000 (£6,600) to transport migrants from Ireland into Northern Ireland, claiming that this is a safer option than travelling over the Channel in tiny boats.

They then have the option of remaining in Northern Ireland or travelling to mainland Great Britain on ferries or aircraft.

The interceptions are part of a Home Office campaign called Operation Comby, which was launched last April to tackle abuses of the Common Travel Area, which permits people to travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic without limitations.

It contrasts with the situation in spring, which saw an inpouring of migrants crossing into the Republic after arriving in Britain on small boats due to fears about the now-abandoned Rwanda scheme.

A three-day operation saw 35 arrests in Ireland and the UK and the seizure of £400,000 worth of criminal cash and 10 fraudulent identity documents.

Checks were conducted at major ports, airports, and road networks across the country to disrupt smuggling routes.

One Iranian man seemed to have travelled from Barcelona to Dublin posing as a Ukrainian.

At Belfast Airport, officers stopped the man on his way to the departure area after suspecting that his passport was fraudulent. He acknowledged being Iranian after an interview.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: ‘This government will not stand by as criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people, risking their lives and giving them false hopes of a better life in the UK.

‘Driven by greed, these gangs have no regard for human life or safety, charging outrageous fees, preying on those desperate to escape hardship, and forcing them into illegal and dangerous situations.

‘We are taking the fight to them on all fronts under the leadership of our new Border Security Commander. 

‘Dismantling the business models of these gangs does not just apply to the small boat trade – we are also stamping out other routes into the UK to bring them to justice and slash their profits.’

Earlier this year the movement of migrants from the UK to Ireland due to the so-called ‘Rwanda effect’ generated a significant diplomatic row. 

Hundreds ended up sleeping rough beside Dublin’s International Protection Office, which had no toilets or washing facilities – before the camp was cleared by the Irish authorities.

Taoiseach Simon Harris promised to pass new laws to facilitate the returns of migrants after the country’s courts said the UK cannot be classed as ‘safe’ due to the pact with the African state.

In response, Rishi Sunak said that he was ‘not interested’ in taking back migrants from Ireland given that the EU refuses to take back Channel migrants who arrived from France. 

Home Office Immigration Enforcement Inspector, Jonathan Evans, said: ‘This operation has been a huge success and sends a clear message that the smuggling gangs who break our laws will face serious consequences.

‘We are taking action day in, day out to ensure we stay a step ahead of these criminal groups, disrupting them at the earliest possible stage. 

‘We will continue working relentlessly to ensure no one abuses the Common Travel Area or the UK’s borders.

‘I’m incredibly proud of our teams across the country, as well as our partners from the police, the National Crime Agency, and international counterparts, for their hard work and collaboration in carrying out this important operation.’

We, the British taxpayers, are paying the price for the blunder of abandoning the Rwanda agreement.

Indeed, the time has come for some kind of enormous legal objection because none of our politicians are listening or even care. Illegal immigration is, without a doubt the number one concern in the UK right now, but all we seem to be able to do is express our concerns verbally.

Crime rates and illegal immigration are on the rise, yet little is being done about it, and criminals are being freely admitted to Britain and apparently exempted from punishment for their crimes.