The Hidden Crisis: Addressing the Urgent Need for a Public Inquiry into Undocumented Immigration in the UK
A personal analysis in light of the recent murder of Rhiannon Whyte (Bescot, West Midlands) 20 October 2024.
Following the tragic death of Rhiannon Whyte from Bescot, West Midlands, the issue of Undocumented Immigrants has been brought to the forefront by many (including Rhiannon's family) who are now seeking answers from the Government as to why the individual who has now been charged with her murder was allowed to stay at an unsecure location given that no one at the Home Office actually knew who he was!
Undocumented immigration (immigrants with no documentary history) in the UK is a complex issue with various facets. The number of people entering the UK irregularly has fluctuated over the years.
For instance, in the year ending June 2024, there were 38,784 detected irregular arrivals, with 81% arriving by small boats. These arrivals are often subject to seasonal fluctuations, with peaks during warmer months.
It must be recognised that undocumented immigrants (UI) face numerous challenges, including limited access to work, benefits, and public services. They often live in precarious conditions and are vulnerable to exploitation. The exact number of UI in the UK is difficult to determine, but latest estimates suggest there are between 800,000 and 1.2 million unauthorized immigrants in the UK.
The Home Office suggests that it has a strict policy regarding UI.
Under the Illegal Migration Act 2023, individuals who enter the UK illegally are detained and promptly removed either to their home country or a safe third country. The Act aims to deter illegal migration by removing the incentive for dangerous small boat crossings and speeding up the removal process. Additionally, those who enter the UK illegally face a lifetime ban on re-entry, settlement, and citizenship. There are some discretionary powers for the Home Secretary to waive these bans in exceptional circumstances.
However, at the time of writing this, the deterrents in place have not proved effective insofar as the small boats are still arriving on the shores of the UK.
Now the above would suggest that all is well with the "problem" of UI. However, this is not the case.
In the year ending June 2024, 18,918 people entered immigration detention in the UK. This is a 12% decrease compared to the previous year. Based on the above figures this means that there are approximately 20,000 UI being accommodated in unsecure premises across the country.
As a human rights advocate, I must consider why people risk their lives by travelling across the English Channel in (the most part) inadequate vessels. I must also acknowledge that many of these individuals might well be facing persecution in their homelands and as such I must accept the reality that many people will take the perilous journey no matter what the deterrents and any individual who comes to this country should be afforded to right to state their case. That said, the population of the UK has the right to be protected. The Government has an absolute duty to its population to give it protection.
With the above in mind, surely anyone entering the country without proof of who they are cannot be left to their own devices and be allowed to wander freely about the UK. Anyone who enters the country without documentary evidence of who they are should be accommodated within the confines of a secure unit until such a time that their identity can be fully explored and confirmed.
The case of Rhiannon Whyte fully demonstrates why this should be the absolute minimum requirement. Had the individual who has now been charged with her murder been subject to the constraints detailed above, she would still be alive today.
In conclusion: conducting a public inquiry into why UI are not accommodated in secure units until such time they have been fully identified is crucial for addressing systemic issues, ensuring transparency, and fostering trust between the government and its citizens. It offers an opportunity to create informed policies, protect human rights, and enhance national security. By comprehensively investigating and understanding the multifaceted challenges, we can develop effective solutions that benefit society and protect the population of the UK.
Edwin Duggan LLB (Hons)
Published 4th November 2024
References:
gov.uk
migrationobservartory.ox.ac.uk
pewresearch.org