UK urged to reject Syrian asylum claims following Assad regime

Former UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has called for the deportation of Syrian asylum seekers, asserting that their claims are now “baseless” following the collapse of the Assad regime.

Speaking to Sky News Breakfast, Jenrick argued that many Syrians in the UK justified their asylum claims on fears of persecution by the Assad regime. “Now that that regime no longer exists, these claims lack foundation,” he said.

He emphasized the need for the UK asylum system to remain consistent, rejecting attempts by Syrians to “change their case” to stay in the country.

Jenrick acknowledged ongoing uncertainty in Syria under the rule of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), a rebel group on the UK‘s list of banned terrorist organizations. “We don’t know what the situation will be like in the months ahead, but we do know that many, perhaps most, of those asylum cases are now baseless,” he noted.

He urged UK authorities to reject current asylum claims based on the previous regime’s persecution, emphasizing deportation or voluntary repatriation as the appropriate next steps.

Jenrick’s remarks follow the UK’s recent pause on Syrian asylum claims as officials reassess the situation in Syria amidst broader European reviews of refugee policies.