A surge in asylum seekers leaving the UK for Ireland has been reported, with many using fake tickets on the Belfast-Dublin route, while Rwanda expresses uncertainties about hosting UK migrants under a new deal.
A recent trend has seen asylum seekers increasingly departing the UK for Dublin, with drivers on the Belfast-Dublin coach route reporting the frequent use of fake tickets to board the coaches, which have been nicknamed the “Brexit Express.” This route has grown in popularity following the UK’s introduction of stringent immigration policies, leading to a notable migration of asylum seekers to Ireland. In 2024 alone, it is estimated that approximately 17,000 asylum seekers might have used this service, spurred by infrequent border checks. The Irish government faces challenges in managing this influx and has stated intentions to repatriate individuals who migrated from the UK by the end of the month.
Meanwhile, in an international development, Rwanda has communicated uncertainty regarding the number of UK migrants it can accommodate under a deal struck with UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak. The plan, aimed at deterring irregular migration by relocating asylum seekers to Rwanda, faces hurdles as Rwandan officials have not confirmed a capacity to host all the migrants designated for deportation. The UK intends to initiate deportation flights to Rwanda in the next few months, confronting logistical and ethical concerns about the policy’s implications on managing the backlog of approximately 40,000 individuals earmarked for deportation.
These developments highlight ongoing complexities in migration and asylum policies between the UK, Ireland, and Rwanda, amidst evolving domestic and international pressures.
