UK Chancellor Sunak Vows to Tackle Illegal Immigration with Bertin

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in an interview published on Sunday that Britain will prevent illegal immigrants from remaining in the country, ahead of new legislation that is expected to be introduced next week.

Under pressure from lawmakers to find a solution to the flow of migrants arriving in Britain across the Channel from Europe, Sunak has made stopping small boats one of his five main priorities.

“Make no mistake, if you came here illegally, you couldn’t stay,” Sunak told the Mail on Sunday.

The newspaper stated that a new law is scheduled to be issued to deal with this issue on Tuesday, after more than 45,000 people made the perilous crossing last year.

Last year, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed a deal to send tens of thousands of migrants, many of whom made the journey from Afghanistan, Syria or other war-ridden countries, more than 6,400km (4,000 miles) to Rwanda.

Politics faced a legal battle after the first planned deportation flight was blocked by a last-minute injunction by the European Court of Human Rights. The High Court in London ruled it legal in December, but opponents are seeking an appeal.

Asked on Sky News whether those arriving in Britain illegally would be prevented from seeking asylum, Government Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “I think so, yes.”

“If people come to this country illegally, they will be sent back or sent to somewhere like Rwanda.”

Asked how genuine asylum seekers could seek asylum, Heaton-Harris said: “I’m sure there will be more safe and legal avenues.”