The recent actions concerning asylum seekers intended for relocation to Rwanda have sparked a series of repercussions, with individuals now going into hiding and some even fleeing to Ireland.
Over the past week, authorities began rounding up asylum seekers for the Rwanda scheme, resulting in at least one individual going on a hunger strike and another threatening suicide.
Despite widespread communication from the government about the detentions for Rwanda, it appears that the authorities did not anticipate the extent of asylum seekers evading capture by going underground or seeking refuge in Ireland.
Lou Calvey, director of Asylum Matters, highlighted concerns from frontline charities about asylum seekers leaving their accommodations to avoid arrest, emphasizing the growing risks of destitution and exploitation.
Those who regularly attended asylum reporting sessions across the UK noted a significant decrease in attendance.
One Belarusian man, who has been in the UK for more than a decade, expressed anxiety about potential arrest despite not falling into the initial cohort slated for Rwanda relocation.
Another asylum seeker, who received a notice regarding Rwanda but hasn’t been detained yet, revealed receiving multiple calls from community members urging him to go into hiding.
A Syrian refugee shared his experiences from 2020 when the Home Office attempted to deport asylum seekers to European countries they had passed through before Brexit, noting similarities with the current situation regarding Rwanda.
The initial week of detentions for the Rwanda scheme has not deterred small boat crossings, with a notable increase in crossings over the last seven days.
Meanwhile, in Ireland, makeshift tent settlements have reappeared shortly after being removed by authorities, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by asylum seekers in accessing suitable accommodation.
Both Irish and Northern Irish officials have expressed differing views on the influx of asylum seekers crossing from Northern Ireland into the Republic.
At a Home Office reporting center, an Ethiopian asylum seeker expressed deep worry about potential detention, emphasizing his apprehensions about the situation.
Similarly, an Iranian Kurdish man, residing in the UK for 14 years, questioned the logic of relocating refugees to countries they did not originate from, expressing his strong reluctance towards being sent to Rwanda.
