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Asylum system 'overburdened'

The asylum system is 'overburdened' allowing dangerous criminals to slip through the net, while leaving genuine cases to dwindle in the system, an influential committee of MPs has warned.

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Vaz: Asylum seekers 'trapped in a cycle of helplessness'

The UK asylum system is so poor it is leaving applicants "trapped in a cycle of helplessness and vulnerability" according to the chairman of the home affairs select committee.

Labour MP Keith Vaz was speaking after the committee published a damning report on the asylum system and raised concerns about criminals granted leave to stay.

The backlog of asylum cases that should have been cleared by 2011 has reached 32,600, with some people waiting up to 16 years for a decision.

The system needs to work, otherwise applicants are trapped in a cycle of helplessness and vulnerability.

Those who apply for asylum should be checked against national and international law enforcement agency and security databases to ensure that we are not harbouring those who intend us harm.

The Home Secretary has to assure us that any anomalies in the process, which have allowed decisions such as this to take place, are addressed immediately

– Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz
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Asylum system 'overburdened'

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