FIVE people have claimed asylum in Jersey in the past five years – and all were unsuccessful and returned to a safe third country, the Home Affairs Minister has revealed.
Senator Helen Miles confirmed that every application had been processed locally by the Jersey Customs and Immigration Service.
She was responding to questions from Deputy Montfort Tadier. The minister also set out that people seeking asylum cannot work or access public funds while their claims are considered.
However, she did not explain how their accommodation and other essential welfare needs would be met, as the deputy had requested.
Senator Miles said anyone claiming asylum in Jersey would initially undergo a screening interview to establish whether their application could be considered and whether the Island had responsibility for doing so.
If a claim is ruled inadmissible, the person will normally be refused entry and returned to the safe country from which they travelled to Jersey. They may be detained while awaiting removal.
Where an application is accepted for consideration, the claimant may also be detained pending a fuller asylum interview and a decision.
Jersey Customs and Immigration Service decides whether claims are admissible, while the minister determines the outcome of those accepted for consideration.
The Home Affairs Minister said: “Individuals arriving in Jersey on commercial air or sea services will have travelled from a safe country, as Jersey does not have direct international air links from countries that would typically generate significant numbers of asylum claims.”
Deputy Tadier had also asked whether Jersey had the legal arrangements, procedures and resources needed to determine asylum claims independently, and whether applications were handled in the Island or the UK.
Senator Miles said: “Jersey has well-established legal and operational arrangements for the consideration of asylum claims.”
She confirmed that all five applications made during the past five years had been processed by Jersey Customs and Immigration Service, adding: “In all cases, the asylum claims were unsuccessful, and all five individuals were returned to a safe third country.”
