In a recent push for policy amendment in the UK, Tory MPs led by the former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick have called for the publication of crime rates by migrant nationalities. This proposed change to the Criminal Justice Bill necessitates the annual release of data concerning the nationality, visa, and asylum status of convicted offenders in English and Welsh courts. Jenrick’s initiative is driven by a belief in the importance of public awareness of immigration impacts, particularly from countries with differing views on women and minorities. The motion has emerged amid pressures on the Government to tackle a peak in net migration figures recorded in 2022.

The Home Office, aiming to reduce immigration, intends to impose stricter measures, including higher salary thresholds for skilled worker visas. Jenrick’s resignation points to internal disputes within the Conservative Party over migration policy approaches, emphasizing the need for a reevaluation of strategies concerning both legal and illegal immigration flows into the UK.

In Australia, Labor’s proposed deportation bill has ignited controversy over its broad implications for refugees and non-citizens. Criticized by Greens immigration spokesperson David Shoebridge as “draconian,” the bill would grant extensive ministerial powers to reverse protection findings for refugees and mandate cooperation with deportation processes under threat of imprisonment. Additional concerns arise from provisions potentially establishing restrictions similar to a “Trump-style travel ban” for countries uncooperative with involuntary deportations. The legislation’s controversial aspects have led to its referral to a Senate inquiry for further examination amidst public outcry and demands for a more humane approach to asylum and immigration policies.

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has taken a significant stance by choosing not to oppose the contentious Rwanda Bill, signaling a notable progression for the legislation supported by many Conservative MPs. The bill, which promotes the relocation of asylum seekers to Rwanda, intends to curb illegal migration and the risks associated with human trafficking. Despite withholding his approval, Archbishop Welby voiced moral reservations about the policy, advocating for a more balanced refugee management system. The bill’s advancement in Parliament suggests a persistent deliberation on finding effective and humane solutions to the complex challenges of immigration and asylum in the UK.