Post #9640

The Indo has interviewed several Palestinians who had been living in Jordan but are now claiming asylum in Ireland, suggesting this phenomenon is increasing. Pictured is Mahmoud Al-Azab, the man I spotlighted three weeks back who told an English vlogger that he got into Ireland by first applying for an "ETA visa" to the UK. He'd been living in a village in Jordan for 16 years. So they're not coming over the English channel in small boats and have nothing to do with French or EU policies. Here's the trick: He said this "ETA visa" prohibits him from claiming asylum in the UK. Jordan was added to UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme on Feb 22nd. It costs £10 and is for visitors from various Arab countries who have good relations with the UK to facilitate short trips. The scheme's factsheet also advises applicants: "The UK will not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from within the Common Travel Area, with no immigration controls whatsoever on the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border."