Rishi Sunak remains upbeat despite legal setback, declares success in curbing illegal crossings

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed a 33% decrease in illegal migrant crossings from Europe to the UK this year, attributing the success to rigorous efforts.

Speaking from Worksop in Nottinghamshire, Sunak expressed determination to resurrect the controversial plan of sending asylum-seekers to Rwanda, despite a recent U.K. Supreme Court ruling deeming Rwanda unsafe for such transfers.

While legal experts dismiss Sunak’s optimism as wishful thinking, critics emphasize the plan’s financial burden and potential damage to Britain’s global standing. The Supreme Court’s unanimous rejection on Wednesday failed to dissuade the government, which insists the policy will deter perilous Channel crossings.

Undeterred by the court ruling, Sunak asserted ongoing negotiations with Rwanda to refine the plan and eliminate perceived loopholes. The Prime Minister emphasized his commitment to circumventing domestic and foreign court hindrances, aiming to secure a treaty with Rwanda and subsequently pass legislation declaring it a safe country.

The proposed initiative, established over a year and a half ago, aims to redirect migrants arriving as stowaways or via boats to Rwanda for asylum processing. The government contends this strategy will discourage migration and disrupt human-smuggling networks. Critics argue that dispatching migrants thousands of miles away is both ethically questionable and impractical, with over 27,300 migrants having crossed the English Channel this year.

As Sunak prioritizes his “stop the boats” campaign in anticipation of the upcoming national election, the debate over the viability and morality of the asylum plan with Rwanda continues to unfold.