Many commentators who have replied to my previous posts, both in this site and in social media, have tried to play down what happened in these past two days by bringing up the repatriation of 44 Nigerian immigrants back last year.
It seems that many are missing the point. No one is advocating an open-door policy where whoever lands here illegally is welcomed with open arms as if they've arrived legally. What we are advocating here is that before being sent back, every individual has the right to claim asylum and have his application processed. If his claims are genuine and his application is accepted, yes let's grant him protection, if not, let's send him back. This is what has been happening in these past years. The Nigeria example is a case where 44 people had their application considered inadmissible and were sent back. In fact, from the 16,617 immigrants who reached our islands since 2002, only 5,000 have stayed here. Some had their application refused and were repatriated, some have been given protection and either stayed here or moved on to other countries, others have been resettled elsewhere (read the full report from The Times here).
What happened this week was that a group of people were not going to have their claims heard and considered before being sent back. That is why the European Court of Human Rights had to intervene and forcibly stop our government. That is why we are being shamed across the globe.
It seems that many are missing the point. No one is advocating an open-door policy where whoever lands here illegally is welcomed with open arms as if they've arrived legally. What we are advocating here is that before being sent back, every individual has the right to claim asylum and have his application processed. If his claims are genuine and his application is accepted, yes let's grant him protection, if not, let's send him back. This is what has been happening in these past years. The Nigeria example is a case where 44 people had their application considered inadmissible and were sent back. In fact, from the 16,617 immigrants who reached our islands since 2002, only 5,000 have stayed here. Some had their application refused and were repatriated, some have been given protection and either stayed here or moved on to other countries, others have been resettled elsewhere (read the full report from The Times here).
What happened this week was that a group of people were not going to have their claims heard and considered before being sent back. That is why the European Court of Human Rights had to intervene and forcibly stop our government. That is why we are being shamed across the globe.
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