In an indication of the healing of ties between the two countries after Brexit, Britain and its former EU allies have agreed to work together more on combating illegal immigration.
To protect borders and combat organized immigration crime, the British government said on Friday that Frontex, the EU’s border and coast guard agency, and U.K. border authorities will have access to each other’s intelligence. Additionally, workers will be rotated between the two sides; cooperative training and research and development on new technologies will be done.
The deal, which will be signed later in London, excludes any bilateral returns agreement, meaning that under burden-sharing measures decided upon by the EU’s 27 member states, neither party would be required to accept any asylum-seekers. Home Secretary James Cleverly of the United Kingdom stated, “People smuggling and organized immigration crime are global challenges that require shared solutions and ambitions.”
What To Know About The illegal Immigration Mitigation Measures
“To combat illegal migration, secure our borders, and stop the boats, we must continue to build on our historic working arrangement between the United Kingdom and Frontex,” he continued.
Following Britain’s 2016 decision to leave the EU, the two sides’ relations were tested during the protracted divorce negotiations. However, in recent months, these relations have improved in several subjects.
With the signing of a minimal trade and cooperation agreement in early 2021, the divide became official; nevertheless, under U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a staunch Brexit supporter, relations became even more tense.
Though trade tensions and a deep-seated mistrust still exist, the current prime minister, Rishi Sunak, who assumed office in October 2022, has discreetly sought to mend the United Kingdom’s ties with its European neighbors. He consented, for instance, to Britain’s re-entry into the $100 billion science-sharing initiative Horizon Europe last year.
Reducing illegal immigration is a key component of Sunak’s leadership agenda. Over 29,000 individuals crossed the English Channel in tiny boats to join the United Kingdom in 2023, many facing extreme danger. Even if it was less than 46,000 the previous year, Sunak has pledged to “stop the boats,” leaving him vulnerable to accusations that he hasn’t succeeded in achieving a key goal before this year’s general election, which he will choose when.
Based on opinion polls, Sunak’s Conservatives are falling well short of the main opposition Labour Party. They are being overtaken by a new hard-right political party that emphasizes immigration.
About The UK an EU Agreement on Illegal Migration
The deal, which will be signed later in London, excludes any bilateral returns agreement, meaning that under burden-sharing measures decided upon by the EU’s 27 member states, neither party would be required to accept any asylum-seekers. Global issues like human smuggling and organized immigration crime call for common goals and solutions, according to UK Home Secretary James Cleverly.
He said that our historic working agreement between the UK and Frontex is another critical element in combating illegal migration, safeguarding our borders, and halting the boats.
Following Britain’s 2016 decision to leave the EU, the two sides’ relations were tested during the protracted divorce negotiations. However, in recent months, these relations have improved in several subjects.
With the signing of a minimal trade and cooperation agreement in early 2021, the break became official; nevertheless, under UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a staunch Brexit supporter, ties got even more tense.
Though trade tensions and a deep-seated mistrust still exist, the current prime minister, Rishi Sunak, who assumed office in October 2022, has discreetly sought to mend the United Kingdom’s ties with its European neighbours. He consented, for instance, to Britain’s re-entry into the USD 100 billion science-sharing initiative Horizon Europe last year.
Reducing illegal immigration is a key component of Sunak’s leadership agenda. In 2023, more than 29,000 individuals crossed the English Channel in tiny boats to arrive in the UK, many facing extreme danger.
Which European nation has the largest immigrant population?
The Financial Times reports that in 2022, according to data from the OECD, Switzerland had the largest percentage of its population who were born abroad (31% of whom were born abroad and 16% of whom had at least one foreign parent), followed by Sweden (31% of whom were born abroad and 10%).
After Brexit, is the UK still a member of Europe?
The UK has exited the EU, and the time of transition is now over. This implies that EU legislation is no longer applicable in the UK and that the UK has now exited the EU Single Market and Customs Union.
After Brexit, can EU nationals work in the UK?
“Citizens of the EU.” In order for you and your family to stay in the UK beyond June 30, 2021, you must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
What caused the UK to exit the EU?
According to opinion polls, remain voters thought EU membership “would be better for the economy,” while Leave voters thought leaving the EU was “more likely to bring about a better immigration system, improved border controls, a fairer welfare system, better quality of life, and the ability to control our own laws.”