UK to introduce asylum ban on English Channel crossers

LONDON (AA) - Britain’s new home secretary said migrants crossing the English Channel from France to the UK will face a blanket ban from claiming asylum under new plans.

Giving her first major speech as home secretary, Suella Braverman set out new immigration plans.

Her announcement came as the country has registered more than 35,000 such crossings this year.

Speaking at the Conservative Party’s autumn conference, Braverman said she will find ways to implement the government’s Rwanda plan, under which asylum seekers would be sent to the African country while their application is processed. The first flights taking some asylum seekers to Rwanda were grounded after decisions from the European Court of Human Rights.

“We have got to stop the boats crossing the Channel,” Braverman said.

“This has gone on far too long.”

She said: “But I have to be straight with you; there are no quick fixes and the problem is chronic.”

The home secretary said the current law “simply isn’t working” and it was being “abused” by people smugglers, last-minute claims and specialist lawyers.

“This cannot continue.”

She said: “Conference, I will commit to you today that I will look to bring forward legislation to make it clear that the only route to the United Kingdom is through a safe and legal route.”

“So, if you deliberately enter the United Kingdom illegally from a safe country, you should be swiftly returned to your home country or relocated to Rwanda. That is where your asylum claim will be considered,” Braverman added.