The UK is in discussions with multiple countries to set up overseas "return hubs" for failed asylum seekers, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced during his first official visit to Albania on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Starmer confirmed that his government was exploring options to send asylum seekers abroad after their claims have been rejected in the UK. While he declined to name the countries involved, he emphasized that the proposal was a "really important innovation."
Albania, however, has ruled itself out of the talks. Rama stated that his country’s existing agreement with Italy—which allows for the offshore processing of asylum seekers—was a "one-off" arrangement due to the nations' "very special relationship." He added that Albania had rejected similar requests from other countries to avoid undermining its deal with Italy.
Starmer’s visit to Albania centered on enhancing cooperation to combat organized crime and curb illegal migration. The UK government reported a 95% drop in Albanian small boat arrivals over the past three years, attributing the decline to joint efforts with Albanian authorities.
The Prime Minister also announced an expansion of the Joint Migration Task Force, which targets people-smuggling networks in the Western Balkans, to include North Macedonia. Additionally, new measures aim to prevent a "revolving door effect," where deported migrants evade law enforcement and reattempt illegal entry.
Starmer defended his approach, stating, "The last government lost control of the borders. I am determined that we will retake control." He stressed that the proposed return hubs would apply only to those whose asylum claims had been definitively rejected.
The announcement drew criticism from the opposition, with Conservative Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp calling the trip an "embarrassment" after Rama publicly dismissed the possibility of hosting a UK return hub.
The proposal differs from the previous Conservative government’s controversial Rwanda scheme, which sought to process asylum claims offshore before being scrapped by Starmer’s administration. Italy’s similar agreement with Albania has faced legal challenges, delaying implementation.
The UK government also unveiled plans this week to reduce legal migration through a new White Paper, though Starmer denied the move was a reaction to gains by the hard-right Reform UK party in recent local elections. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has pledged to freeze non-essential immigration and turn back Channel migrant boats.
As negotiations continue, the Prime Minister’s push for offshore processing signals a renewed effort to address record Channel crossings—with over 12,000 arrivals so far in 2025.