Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir discusses the deadly migrant passage from Senegal to the Canary Islands and the challenges faced by asylum seekers in the UK. The podcast sheds light on the perilous sea journey, economic motivations for migration, difficulties in tracking individuals for repatriation to Rwanda, and the government's immigration deterrent plan.
Residents of Senegal risk their lives on dangerous sea voyages to seek better opportunities in the Spanish Canary Islands due to economic exploitation and declining fish resources.
The UK's Rwanda Repatriation Scheme has instilled fear in asylum seekers, leading to apprehension about attending appointments and potential deportation, creating distrust in the asylum process.
Deep dives
Migration Challenges in Senegal
In Senegal, thousands of individuals embark on dangerous sea journeys to reach the Spanish Canary Islands, facing risks of capsizing and loss of life. The locals, accustomed to the sea's unpredictability, continue these perilous voyages in search of better opportunities. Due to declining fish resources and economic exploitation by Europe, fishing communities in Senegal resort to smuggling and undertaking treacherous journeys to Europe for economic survival.
Impact of UK's Rwanda Repatriation Scheme
The UK's Rwanda Repatriation Scheme has sparked fear and uncertainty among asylum seekers, leading many to consider evading Home Office appointments to avoid potential deportation. The scheme, targeting individuals who arrived after January 2022 without asylum status, has created anxiety and dissent among those awaiting asylum outcomes, deterring trust in the asylum process.
Personal Stories and Reactions
Individuals like Kidus and Naham, facing deportation under the scheme, express fear and disillusionment after being detained and notified of potential deportation to Rwanda. Kidus, initially seeking safety in the UK, now regrets his choice due to deportation fears. The government's emphasis on deterrence through the scheme contrasts with the emotional toll and uncertainty experienced by asylum seekers already in the UK.
Hundreds of young men have died trying to use boats to get from Senegal to the Canary Islands.
On this episode of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson hears about what's been called the "deadliest and busiest migrant passage in the world".
Niall is joined by our Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir who has been to the fishing town of Mbour on the Senegalese coast to see the scale of the problem.
Plus, in the UK, our communities correspondent Becky Johnson has been speaking to asylum seekers who say they're considering not attending appointments which are a condition of their immigration bail.
It comes as the Home Office tries to trace thousands of missing asylum seekers, with a view to deporting some of them to Rwanda in a bid to deter illegal small boat Channel crossings.
Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Podcast promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth
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