Labour’s migration plan will only embolden exploiters, warns Amnesty UK director

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is under fire as the Labour government's latest measures to combat illegal migration to the country have sparked a significant backlash.

The newly announced plans aim to ramp up deportations to levels not seen since 2018, with a target of expelling over 14,500 illegal migrants within the next six months.

The controversial strategy includes expanding immigration detention centers and recruiting additional officers to bolster efforts against people-smuggling networks.

Critics argue that these measures are alarmingly reminiscent of previous Conservative policies, particularly those implemented during Theresa May's tenure as prime minister from 2016 to 2019.

Among the most vocal opponents is Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty UK’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Program Director, who delivered a scathing critique of the government's approach.

In an interview with Anadolu, Valdez-Symonds contended that the Labour government is failing to address the root causes of migration and is instead perpetuating harmful policies that will exacerbate the challenges faced by migrants.

"It's setting out as best as it can what it thinks will deter and prevent people from ever coming here," he said. "And making a great deal of noise also about its threat to expel people if they do, and increasingly, to use detention if they do."

He further argued that the policy will not alter the reality for those who undertake perilous journeys to seek asylum in the UK, noting that many are driven by genuine need and are entitled to international protection.

"This isn't going to change the reality of the people who make these journeys," Valdez-Symonds emphasized. "It's not going to change the need of many of them and the entitlement of many of them to asylum."

Despite welcoming the decision that the Labour government has abandoned the Rwanda asylum policy, he said, however, the overall strategy remains similar, focusing on deterrence, expulsion, and detention

Valdez-Symonds' criticism extends to the broader implications of the Labour government’s strategy, which he believes mirrors the failings of its predecessors.

He warned that these policies would "strengthen the hands of people who will exploit those who must make these journeys and who receive so little welcome here."

He added that the focus on expanding detention and border controls would continue to render the UK's immigration and asylum system "inefficient as well as unjust."

The Labour government’s latest proposals include the creation of nearly 300 additional detention spaces at two controversial immigration removal centers, a move that has sparked concerns among human rights advocates.

Up to 100 new specialist intelligence and investigations officers will also be recruited to the National Crime Agency by collaborate with European agencies in targeting people-smuggling networks.

- 'More of the same'

However, Valdez-Symonds sees these measures as misguided and likely to contribute to societal tensions.

He expressed concern that the government's approach might fuel further unrest, referencing recent riots linked to immigration issues.

"This policy, although I don't think it's a response to those riots, is a response to some of the things that have led to those riots, and it's just more of the same," he said.

He went on to criticize the government's failure to address the broader inequalities within the UK, which he believes are the true drivers of discontent.

"There's a lot else that the British government needs to do in terms of supporting people right across this country who undoubtedly experience huge inequalities and poverty compared to some very, extremely rich people in this country," Valdez-Symonds said. "And that's not fair, it's not right, and it's not sensible, and it doesn't do any good."

He warned that the government's current stance could lead to further scapegoating of migrants and refugees, exacerbating divisions within society.

"Unfortunately, there are people in our society, as there are elsewhere, who will exploit things like this and will, amongst others, scapegoat migrant people, refugees and others," he said.

"We saw some of that in those riots. Sadly, we're likely to see more unless our government ever gets to the point of being willing to be more honest with us all, that the problems in this country, of which there are many, are not caused by the relatively few people who come to this country."

As the Labour government presses ahead with its plans, it faces mounting pressure from human rights organizations, political opponents and members of the public who question the effectiveness and morality of its approach to immigration and asylum.

Whether these policies will succeed in curbing illegal migration or whether they will merely repeat the mistakes of the past remains to be seen.