The first group of illegal migrants will be announced this week that they could be sent to Rwanda under the government’s controversial new immigration plans.
Interior Minister Priti Patel signed an agreement in the capital, Kigali, in April for some asylum seekers who had arrived illegally in the UK since January to resettle in the East African country.
The first people have now been informed of the government’s intention to relocate them under the new Migration and Economic Development Partnership, where their claims will be processed in Rwanda, although it is unclear when they will be launched.
If they succeed, they will be granted asylum or refugee status in the country. Those with unsuccessful offers will be offered the opportunity to apply for visas on other immigration routes if they wish to remain in Rwanda, but may still face deportation.
Migrants who have crossed the English Channel are among those who will be notified, and the government says it has the power to detain people until they are taken out of the UK.
Rwanda’s controversial policy faces a number of legal challenges from charities that call into question its legitimacy.
Several “preliminary” letters – paving the way for a legal challenge – have been sent to the Interior Ministry.
Explanation: Why are migrants being sent to Rwanda and how will this work?
Campaigners are asking the government to reveal the criteria for who is at risk of being sent to Africa and want to know on what basis Rwanda is considered a “safe” country.
Earlier, the prime minister reportedly said he wanted to see the first flights take off by the end of May, but officials still could not say when the removal could begin and how many people initially wanted to deport the government.
Boris Johnson said tens of thousands of asylum seekers could be sent.
Image: Rwanda is 4,000 miles from the United Kingdom
Ms Patel said: “Britain’s asylum system has been shattered as criminals exploit and transport people into our country at huge cost to taxpayers in the UK.
“The world’s leading migration partnership with Rwanda means that those making dangerous, unnecessary and illegal trips to the UK can be relocated to Rwanda to have their asylum claims considered and rebuild their lives there – helping to break the smugglers’ business model and prevent loss of life. “
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2:01 Rwanda’s policies do not deter migrants
She added: “This is only the first stage of the process and we know it will take time, as some will seek to thwart the process and delay removal. I will not be deterred from acting to bring about the changes that the British voted in favor of regaining control of our money, laws and borders. “
Read more: Asylum seekers “want to hide” to avoid British government’s plan for Rwanda Former Prime Minister Theresa May criticizes plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda A look at the center that could house Channel migrants
The interior minister acknowledged that it would “take time” to address the growing legal challenges.
Signing the deal last month, Ms Patel said “evil” people smugglers and their criminal gangs were helping people enter Europe, leading to “loss of life and huge costs for taxpayers in the UK”.
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“The tragic loss of life in the English Channel and in the Mediterranean at the hands of these evil smugglers must stop,” she said.
“We have agreed that people entering the UK illegally will be considered for relocation to Rwanda in order to have their asylum claim resolved.
“And those who are resettled will receive support, including up to five years of training, to help them with integration, housing and health care so that they can resettle and thrive.”
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2:08 May and Patel clash over an asylum plan in Rwanda
At least 7,739 people have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel this year, according to an analysis of government data from the PA news agency.
This is more than three times the amount that arrived in the same period in 2021 (2439).
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