Tirana (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Albania’s PM Edi Rama accuses UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood of “ethnic stereotyping” after officials single out 700 Albanian families for deportation.
As reported by The Guardian, Shabana Mahmood faces backlash from Albania’s prime minister, who says she engaged in “ethnic stereotyping” and “indecent demagoguery” by targeting Albanian families who refused to return home.
What did Edi Rama say about Shabana Mahmood’s stance on Albanian families?
Edi Rama slammed Shabana Mahmood’s approach, questioning why a Labour minister would “so poorly echo the rhetoric of the populist far-right” after her department targeted 700 Albanian families for deportation.
Ms Mahmood faces criticism from more than two dozen Labour MPs over plans that could allow the forced removal of families who refuse financial incentives to return home.
Mr Rama posted on X,
“How can a Labour home secretary so poorly echo the rhetoric of the populist far-right – and single out 700 Albanian families, a statistical drop in the ocean of post-Brexit Britain’s challenges – precisely at a moment when the UK and Albania have built one of Europe’s most successful partnerships on illegal migration?”
He said,
“Albanians are net contributors to the British economy, and the number of Albanians receiving UK benefits is very low relative to other communities. To single them out again and again is not policy – it is a troubling and indecent exercise in demagoguery.”
The Albanian prime minister added,
“The UK should be seeking ways to deepen cooperation with Albania on all security issues – from defence to border protection – rather than repeatedly scapegoating Albanians and thereby exposing citizens of an allied nation to increased risks, including from extremist groups that thrive on such narratives. Official policy should never be driven by ethnic stereotyping.”
According to an Albanian official, tensions with Britain are rising, even though the two governments have previously worked closely on immigration policies.
Albania’s prime minister has a history of publicly criticising UK home secretaries and is known for his flamboyance, such as kneeling before Italian leaders at an EU summit.
Mr Rama accused the then-home secretary, Suella Braverman, of “fuelling xenophobia” by singling out Albanians over alleged abuses of modern slavery laws in 2022.
What did Andi Hoxhaj say about UK policy targeting Albanians?
Andi Hoxhaj, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said the British government appears to be targeting Albanians in its official rhetoric.
He said,
“We saw the same issue under the previous Conservative administration and both the Albanian community and the Albanian government are deeply frustrated by the return of this narrative.”
Mr Hoxhaj added,
“This rhetoric seems increasingly tied to the government’s push to reinterpret or reform ECHR provisions on family rights – using Albanians as an example to make a broader political argument, like the Reform and Conservatives have made by using Albanians as an example.”
He continued,
“By specifically naming Albania, the home secretary is also responding to Farage’s messaging, as he has made Albanians a central part of his rhetoric.”
How is the UK planning to escalate deportations of Albanian families?
Under scrutiny on Monday, 17 November, over plans to step up family deportations, officials cited cases of individuals refusing to return to their countries after asylum claims were rejected.
According to the Home Office, nearly 700 Albanian families in the UK have no legal right to remain, though it has not previously prioritised their removal.
Albanian asylum claims remained low, and the number of small-boat arrivals has fallen by over 90% since 2022.
What changes has the UK Government made to the asylum system?
The British government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has revealed new asylum plans, which include:
- Refugees may have to reapply to stay in the UK every 30 months.
- New illegal arrivals could wait 20 years before applying for permanent settlement.
- Family rights will be restricted to immediate relatives only.
- Housing and financial support for asylum seekers may be reduced or removed.
- AI technology will be used to determine the ages of migrants.
- New safe and legal routes will be introduced for refugees to enter the UK.
- The Modern Slavery Act and human rights rules will be revised to support deportations.
How many asylum seekers are in the UK?
A record total of 111,084 people claimed asylum in the UK in the year ending June. The figure includes arrivals by small boats, which account for 39%, and other irregular routes, such as lorries or shipping containers, at 11%
Reports show 43,600 people arrived via small boats, and 12,100 entered through other irregular routes, such as lorries or shipping containers.
Around 700 Albanian families are currently living in the UK, primarily in taxpayer-funded accommodation after failing their asylum claims.