Minister to clear up deportation backlog
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tony Blair has appointed a "returns envoy" - the Foreign Office minister Lord Triesman - in a drive to clear up the backlog of failed asylum seekers and illegal immigrants who have not been deported before he has left office.
Lord Triesman will be visiting countries such as Algeria to try to increase the number of returned asylum seekers and migrants flouting immigration rules. Britain has signed memorandums of understanding with countries including Algeria about the safety of returnees. Civil liberties groups have warned that the documents will not protect returnees to countries where they face possible torture.
In his letter of appointment to Lord Triesman, Mr Blair said: "Government must be able to return people who have no right to be in the UK to their countries of origin and foreign governments must accept them."
The Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green said: "This is another admission of failure by the Home Office."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments