Robert Jenrick stated that he expects Manston to return to a “legally compliant site” shortly after days of acute congestion at the former RAF airport where refugees are supposed to stay for no more than 24 hours while being vetted before being relocated to hotels or houses.
Asylum applicants were reportedly transferred from the Manston migrant processing center and “abandoned” at London Victoria station, causing the Home Office to face legal action over circumstances at the facility.
Following claims of acute overcrowding at the Kent facility, the minister of immigration, Robert Jenrick, told that a court review is being filed.
Earlier this week, it was estimated that 4,000 individuals were being kept at Manston, despite the facility’s capacity of 1,600.
In recent days, hundreds of users have been removed from the site, and Mr. Jenrick has expressed his expectation that Manston will soon return to being “legally compliant.”
In related news, Kent county council leaders have warned that the county is at “breaking point” due to the migrant crisis, with the possibility for a disturbance at Manston and the risk of far-right violence.
They have written to the home secretary, telling her to stop using Kent as an “easy fix,” and have warned that the county’s position places them under “disproportionate strain.”
As a result of the unanticipated arrival of young migrants, there are no more seats available for local seventh- and ninth-graders, according to the source.
“Anxious, agitated, and bewildered”
Tuesday, a group of eleven asylum seekers was reportedly dropped off at London Victoria without accommodations after being transported there from Kent.
The charity Under One Sky for the homeless told that many of them were wearing sandals and lacked winter attire.
Volunteer Danial Abbas stated, “They were distressed, disoriented, and anxious.” They were also starving.”
A representative for the British Transport Police told the newspaper, “Officers coordinated with charity partners, rail workers, and government colleagues to help them secure overnight accommodations.”
Yesterday, Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael raised this matter in the House of Commons, bringing complaints to the attention of the government.
He stated that Home Secretary Suella Braverman had refused to release people into the community before they had a place to stay, but that this “absolutely” occurred on Tuesday.
“She must respond to something. Mr. Carmichael cautioned, “It would be extremely helpful for the House to know if she plans to return here and explain herself or if she must be hauled here once again.”
Meaning of judicial review
Mr. Jenrick stated yesterday night on The Take with Sophy Ridge, “I believe we have had the initial contact for a judicial review.
“This is not unusual, given this is a highly litigious area of policy, but as the minister in charge, I want to ensure that everything we do is lawful and acceptable.”
Mr. Jenrick stated he could not divulge who filed the judicial review since the information was legally secret; but, the Home Office has received the pre-action protocol letter and will respond “in due time.”
Judicial reviews determine the legality of a public body’s decision or action, in this case, the Home Office. Three to five months are required to reach a judgment, whereas an injunction can immediately prevent action.
Efforts should be made to make Manston “humane and sympathetic”
Mr. Jenrick, who was only named immigration minister by Rishi Sunak last week, stated that he has been collaborating with Ms. Braverman to limit the number of persons at Manston and their length of stay.
Although migrants are not supposed to spend more than 24 hours at the processing center, some have been kept for far longer.
He said, “During the week I’ve been in this position, I’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that the Manston site is not only legally compliant, but also a humanitarian and compassionate location where we welcome migrants, treat them right, and then they are swiftly relocated to alternate housing.”
“The number of visitors to Manston has decreased significantly since the weekend when we became aware of the specific difficulties and became so closely involved.
“I believe that within a matter of days, provided we don’t see extremely significant numbers of people crossing the Channel – I don’t believe this will occur since we have accurate weather forecasts and other intelligence from northern France”
Mr. Jenrick denied taking over this situation from Ms. Braverman after she was accused of ignoring legal counsel stating that migrants from Manston must be moved to hotels within a day of their arrival and processing.
In the meantime, the prime minister of Albania has criticized the British government for blaming Albanians for the migratory situation.
This was produced by the Conservatives
Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary for the Labour Party, stated: “The Conservative government has no justification. They were notified about these issues for months yet did nothing.
“These problems are completely their fault; their decision-making has broken down, causing the backlog to expand, and they have neither planned nor followed legal counsel appropriately.
“We require immediate information on what the home secretary knew and when she knew it. The prime minister pledged professionalism and ethics, but they have demonstrated the exact opposite. This is pure mayhem, and they need to gain control immediately.”
A Home Office spokesman stated, “The number of persons arriving in the United Kingdom via small boats has reached record levels and continues to place an immense strain on our asylum system.”
“Manston will continue to have the resources and equipment necessary to securely process migrants, and we will provide alternative housing as soon as possible.
“We advise anyone who is contemplating leaving a safe nation and risking their lives at the hands of human traffickers to rethink.” Despite what they have been taught, they are not permitted to begin a new life here.”
