Albania’s Prime Minister has sharply criticized the British Home Secretary for what he termed “ethnic stereotyping” and “indecent demagoguery” after UK authorities identified 700 Albanian families for deportation. The Prime Minister questioned why a Labour government would adopt rhetoric he associates with far-right populism.
In a social media post, the Albanian leader expressed frustration that Albanians were being singled out despite what he described as one of Europe’s most successful partnerships on illegal migration between the two countries. He emphasized that Albanian citizens are net contributors to the British economy and have low benefit claims compared to other communities.
The criticism comes amid government plans to escalate family deportations, with officials pointing to individuals who have refused to return home after their asylum claims were rejected. The Home Office claims these families have no legal right to remain in the UK, though until now they haven’t been prioritized for removal.
Immigration analysts note that Albanian asylum claims have significantly decreased, with small boat arrivals dropping over 90% since 2022. Experts suggest the government’s focus on Albanian nationals may be tied to broader political arguments about reforming human rights provisions related to family rights.
This isn’t the first time an Albanian leader has clashed with a UK Home Secretary over immigration rhetoric. Similar tensions emerged under the previous Conservative administration when Albanian officials accused the government of fueling xenophobia.
The current controversy has sparked discomfort within Whitehall, particularly given the strategic importance of the Western Balkans in managing migration routes. UK border officers have been deployed across the region to gather intelligence on smuggling networks.
The Home Office has not publicly responded to the Albanian Prime Minister’s comments as internal debate continues over the government’s approach to family removals.
