Rwanda Act’s Impact on Afghan Asylum Seekers in the UK

The UK government’s Rwanda Act, soon to become law, has sparked fear among some members of the Afghan migrant community in Britain. This act, aimed at ensuring the safety of Rwanda, poses uncertainties for Afghan asylum seekers in the UK, particularly those arriving from across the Channel. With the final hurdle cleared in the British parliament, concerns mount over the fate of Afghan asylum seekers awaiting decisions.

Background – Afghan asylum seekers

As of June 30, 2023, around 13,000 Afghan nationals were awaiting Home Office decisions on their asylum applications in Britain. It remains unclear how many of them could potentially be sent to Rwanda for processing their claims. The Illegal Migration Act, in force since July 20, 2023, deems asylum claims inadmissible for those arriving in the UK without documents. Consequently, many Afghan asylum seekers face the prospect of being sent to Rwanda, unable to apply for asylum.

Government Schemes and Asylum

Two government schemes, ARAP and ARAS, aim to relocate and assist Afghans who worked for or with the UK government in Afghanistan in significant roles. However, some Afghan asylum seekers who did not qualify or apply for these schemes have resorted to traveling to Britain via boats across the Channel. While an estimated 21,500 Afghans received settlement in the UK under ARAP and ARAS, three times as many Afghans claimed asylum between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. The number of Afghan asylum seekers crossing the Channel by boat rose substantially after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, making them the most common nationality arriving in the UK by boat in the first half of 2023.

Challenges Faced

Despite the existing schemes and the high grant rate for Afghan asylum seekers, some individuals who were previously recognized for protection have fallen through the cracks. Labour MP Stella Creasy highlighted the case of one constituent who, despite having British citizenship and serving with the British armed forces for 15 years, faced difficulties in reuniting with his family. His wife and family, unable to join him in the UK, do not qualify for the ARAP scheme. The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, which the government suggested the man’s children could apply for, may not accept them, further complicating their situation.

The UK’s Rwanda Act, poised to become law, raises uncertainties for Afghan asylum seekers in Britain, especially those arriving from across the Channel. With concerns over potential deportations to Rwanda and challenges faced by those who do not qualify for existing relocation schemes, the future remains uncertain for many Afghan asylum seekers in the UK.