The UK is preparing to deport nearly 6,000 migrants to Rwanda this year, as revealed by a senior minister on Tuesday, following the government’s release of new details on the controversial scheme.
These figures come after the plan, aimed at deterring migrant arrivals via small boats from northern Europe, recently became law after months of parliamentary debates.
Late Monday, the interior ministry disclosed that Rwanda has “in principle” agreed to accept 5,700 migrants currently in the UK. Of this number, 2,143 can be located for detention before their deportation flights to Rwanda.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, speaking on Tuesday, mentioned that law enforcement agencies will track down the remaining migrants earmarked for deportation.
“The expectation is that we remove that group of people… by the end of the year,” Atkins stated in an interview with Sky News television. “If somebody doesn’t report as they should do… They will be found.”
Migrants who arrived in the UK between January 2022 and June last year could have their asylum claims considered inadmissible and be deported to Rwanda, according to the interior ministry.
The significant number of over 57,000 people arriving on small boats attempting to cross the Channel during this 18-month period underscores the challenge in curbing irregular arrivals and the government’s strategy to send some to Rwanda.
Under this scheme, which is projected to cost UK taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds, migrants’ asylum claims will be assessed by Kigali. If approved, they will be permitted to stay in Rwanda rather than return to the UK.
Rwanda, with a population of 13 million people in Africa’s Great Lakes region, is considered one of the most stable countries on the continent, boasting modern infrastructure. However, rights groups criticize President Paul Kagame’s regime for alleged human rights violations.
The Safety of Rwanda Bill, passed by UK lawmakers last week, compels British judges to recognize Rwanda as a safe third country, following a UK Supreme Court ruling last year deeming one-way deportation flights illegal.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government faces criticism from opposition parties, UN agencies, and rights groups over this flagship policy. Sunak announced that deportation flights are anticipated to commence within 10-12 weeks.
