Britain tightens noose on Iraqi migrants with new deal with Baghdad

The British government announced on Wednesday that it had concluded a new agreement with Iraq to return illegal immigrants as part of broader steps to curb immigration.

According to the British news agency PA Media, the agreement signed by British Home Secretary Dan Jarvis with the Iraqi side will establish a formal process for the return of Iraqis who arrived in the United Kingdom and have no right to reside in the country.

“The new migration agreement strengthens the partnership between the UK and Iraq,” Jarvis wrote in a post on his page, followed by Shafaq News Agency. “By working together on security and migration issues, we are building closer ties and tackling shared challenges such as serious organized crime and irregular migration.”

This follows an £800,000 ($1.77 million) agreement signed with Baghdad last year to help the country crack down on smuggling networks and organized crime.

Earlier this year, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani agreed to enhance cooperation on migration.

British Home Office statistics show that since previous agreements, the number of Iraqis arriving in the United Kingdom by small boat has declined. The agreement to return illegal immigrants is the latest in London’s policy to stop small boats crossing the English Channel.

Shafaq.com