London, UK, February 10, 2025 —  Ahead of the second reading of the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) calls on the government to prioritise effective solutions that ensure safety and protection for those fleeing conflict and disaster.  

We urge the government to strengthen its commitment to the UK Resettlement Scheme, expand family reunion and pilot a refugee visa.  

Denisa Delic, Advocacy Director of International Rescue Committee UK, says: 

“The government's commitment to reform and restore order to the asylum system is welcome, but the proposed legislation fails to respond to people fleeing conflicts and crises to seek protection. Rather than doubling down on tougher migration and border security measures, the UK should establish safe routes.  

While we share the goal of preventing vulnerable people from falling victim to smugglers and criminal networks, a narrow focus on border security measures will inevitably lead to even more suffering. Without more safe alternatives for those in need, vulnerable people will continue to be forced into the hands of smugglers and even more dangerous routes as their only option for seeking protection. 

Evidence from IRC’s work in Europe demonstrates this clearly. Despite official figures showing a 78 percent drop in the number of people arriving in Italy via the so-called Balkan Route, our colleagues’ accounts in Trieste tell a different story. IRC staff still encountered significant numbers of people on the move in 2024 and have suggested that there is a stark contrast with official statistics. They have observed that enhanced border restrictions have not prevented people from coming to Europe, but simply pushed people into more hidden routes, with movements becoming increasingly covert and hazardous. 

A man from Eritrea interviewed by our colleagues in Libya shared he wants the world to know what it feels to witness countless people die on a journey for a better future. This testimony, together with countless others of abuse and torture experienced on migration journeys, reveals a stark truth: until there are accessible alternatives, people will continue to risk everything in search of safety. Any strategy that fails to recognise this reality will ultimately fall short.”