Cliff Notes – An embarrassment for Starmer on migrant return hubs?
- Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal for “return hubs” aims to facilitate the deportation of migrants who have exhausted all options to stay in the UK, though Albania has expressed reluctance to participate.
- The UK government sees joint policing and intelligence sharing as the main focus of Starmer’s visit to Albania, contesting claims that the migrant return hub was a key agenda item.
- Legal and logistical challenges loom for the establishment of return hubs, with potential discussions involving countries in the Western Balkans after the upcoming European Political Community summit.
An embarrassment for Starmer on migrant return hubs?
Sir Keir Starmer used his first visit to Albania to announce the UK is keen to set up “return hubs” to deport migrants.
Formal discussions are underway, he said, with various countries. We don’t know which these are, but we know which aren’t keen – rather awkwardly, Albania.
Their prime minister, Edi Rama, said he remained “loyal” to their “marriage” with Italy – relations with other countries are “simply love”.
The Conservatives say the trip is therefore an embarrassment for Sir Keir. His team say this was never on the agenda for this trip, which is about joint policing and intelligence sharing.
First of all, what are return hubs?
Essentially, return hubs are processing centres for people who have exhausted all their options to stay in the UK – including asylum applications, appeals and attempts to claim certain work or study visas.
They will be sent back to their home country, and while that happens, they can go to these return hubs – to prevent them absconding.
Officials said it would also prevent them starting a family, for example, and using that as part of their claim to stay in the UK.
Italy has one already but it’s not used
Georgia Meloni’s government has been keen on these for some time, and has built two in Albania – at the port of Shengjin, and the village of Gjader – big enough for 36,000 people a year.
But both, which Sky News visited last year, are currently empty. The courts in Rome say they can’t be used until the European Court of Justice rules them safe. A ruling is expected next month.
Although, in a boost to the UK government’s plans, the UN’s refugee agency, has backed the principle of return hubs, if they meet human rights standards.