Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
2w ago

UK and Ireland Intensify Operation Sonnet Returns to Curb Asylum Benefit Fraud

Dublin and London rely on their 2019 return deal to target benefit fraud among asylum seekers crossing via Northern Ireland.

Image
Image
Irish gardai root out undocumented migrants on a bus from Belfast to Dublin

Overview

  • Since January 2024, Irish authorities have returned 443 migrants to Britain under Operation Sonnet to prevent dual welfare claims.
  • Afghan national Zafar was detained on the M1 motorway while travelling from Belfast to Dublin to file a second asylum claim and was sent back under Sonnet.
  • British-registered asylum seeker Hassan travelled weekly to Ireland to collect benefits after applying in Britain as a Pakistani before his scheme was uncovered.
  • Dublin recorded over 6,000 asylum applications in June, with officials estimating 90% from migrants who first crossed from Northern Ireland after arriving in Britain.
  • The Department of Social Protection has cut off payments for at least 15 claimants following GNIB referrals and agencies report extensive cross-border cooperation.