UK and Vietnam Forge New Agreement to expedite Deportations of Vietnamese Nationals
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A landmark deal signed between the UK and Vietnam aims to dramatically accelerate the deportation process for Vietnamese citizens arriving in the country through irregular channels.
The agreement, finalized on Wednesday evening, comes after a important surge in clandestine arrivals from Vietnam, primarily via small boats and concealed within lorries.Downing Street officials state the pact is designed to streamline procedures and facilitate the swift return of individuals without the legal right to remain in the UK.
Rising Numbers of Vietnamese Arrivals
Vietnamese nationals represented the largest single group arriving via small boats in the first three months of 2024, and ranked as the fourth largest cohort across all of last year. Data from April 2024 revealed that 20% of all small boat arrivals were Vietnamese – a tenfold increase compared to the same period in the previous year. This dramatic rise has prompted the UK government to seek more effective means of managing the influx.
Modern Slavery Concerns and Vulnerable Individuals
Alongside the increased arrivals, authorities have also seen a rise in potential modern slavery cases. Between April and June of this year,599 Vietnamese individuals were referred to the national referral mechanism as potential victims – the second-highest nationality referred,following Eritreans. this highlights the complex vulnerabilities faced by some of those making the perilous journey to the UK.
Details of the New Agreement
No. 10 asserts that this agreement represents the “strongest” commitment Vietnam has made with any nation regarding migration management. the deal is projected to potentially quadruple the number of Vietnamese nationals deported from Britain who lack a valid basis for remaining.
Key provisions include a projected 75% reduction in document processing time for cases with supporting evidence, with an eventual goal of nearly 90% efficiency.This will be achieved by cutting through bureaucratic hurdles. The agreement also outlines the implementation of biometric data sharing for identification purposes,expedited document issuance,and enhanced collaboration to disrupt immigration crime networks.
prime Minister Starmer Highlights Cooperation
Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed the agreement alongside To Lam, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, during a meeting at Downing Street. “I’m really pleased we’re able to sign our migration agreement, which will build on the good cooperation that we have between our two countries now, will make it even faster, even more effective, and have a real impact on very many lives,” Starmer stated.
he further emphasized the message the agreement sends: “If you come to the UK illegally, you will be swiftly returned.” Starmer added that the government is “cutting through red tape,accelerating removals and dismantling the criminal networks that profit from illegal migration.”
Initial Successes and Future Outlook
According to the Prime Minister, the number of illegal arrivals from Vietnam has already been halved. Though, he acknowledged that further progress is absolutely possible through continued international cooperation. “Today’s agreement shows that through international cooperation – not shouting from the sidelines – we can deliver for the UK and for working people,” he said.
Lam extended an invitation for Starmer to visit Vietnam, aiming to further “enrich the bilateral relationship between the two countries.”
In the government’s first year, 35,000 individuals with no legal right to remain were removed, including 5,200 foreign national offenders – a 14% increase compared to the previous year.
Concerns Raised Regarding Journalist and Human Rights
The agreement’s proclamation comes amidst concerns raised by the BBC regarding one of its journalists, a Vietnamese national, who has been unable to leave Vietnam for several months while attempting to visit family and renew their passport.
Moreover, Human Rights Watch has documented over 170 political prisoners currently detained in Vietnam for exercising fundamental human rights, including activists and online bloggers. These developments raise questions about the broader human rights context within which this migration agreement is being implemented.
