Overview

This bill aims to expedite the process of transferring asylum seekers in the UK to the nearest safe country to their country of origin. It mandates the creation of regulations by the Secretary of State to facilitate these transfers, subject to parliamentary approval.

Description

The Asylum Seekers (Return to Nearest Safe Country) Bill proposes a legal framework for transferring asylum seekers to a designated "safe country."

• Transfer Mechanism: The Secretary of State will create regulations detailing the transfer process. These regulations will need parliamentary approval before implementation.
• Definition of "Asylum Seeker": The bill defines an asylum seeker as someone whose removal from the UK would violate the UK's obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and its protocol.
• Definition of "Safe Country": A "safe country" is defined as a country listed in Schedule 3 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants etc.) Act 2004.
• Legal Basis: The bill introduces a new legal basis for transferring asylum seekers to these safe countries, where such provisions don't already exist.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't provide specific figures on government spending. However, it's likely to involve costs associated with implementing the transfer process, such as administrative work, legal fees and potentially transportation costs.

Groups Affected

• Asylum Seekers: This bill directly impacts asylum seekers, potentially leading to their transfer to another country. The impact will depend on the specific safe country identified and the conditions they face there.
• Governments of "Safe Countries": These countries will experience an influx of asylum seekers transferred from the UK. This could strain their resources and require adjustments to their asylum systems.
• UK Government Departments: The Home Office will bear the responsibility for implementing the bill's provisions. This will require administrative changes and likely increased workload.
• NGOs and Charities: Organizations supporting asylum seekers will likely be affected, potentially needing to adjust their services to accommodate the changes in the asylum system.

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