The government has announced its intention to transfer a specific group of 5,700 asylum seekers to Rwanda by the end of the year, as revealed on Tuesday. This move comes on the heels of a controversial law passed by Parliament last Tuesday, aimed at dissuading migrants from undertaking perilous Channel crossings.
Out of proportion: it’s a fraction of those who enter the country illegally
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government, deportations are slated to commence in July. A document released by the Interior Ministry indicates that Kigali has tentatively agreed to accept the 5,700 asylum seekers. This group was selected from the over 57,000 migrants who illegally attempted the crossing between the European mainland and the United Kingdom from January 2022 to June 2023.
Victoria Atkins, speaking on behalf of the government, reiterated the plan to deport this cohort to Rwanda by year-end during an interview with Sky News on Tuesday morning. The Interior Ministry’s document specifies that out of the targeted 5,700 asylum seekers, 2,143 are already under the Home Office’s surveillance.
“These individuals are identifiable for apprehension,” the ministry asserted. Efforts are underway, according to the Health Minister, to locate the remaining individuals. “We want to send a clear message: they will be located and deported,” she emphasized.
In recent days, Ireland has reported a surge in migrants from the United Kingdom, attributing it to their neighbour’s migration policy.
The newly enacted law dictates that migrants entering the United Kingdom illegally will face deportation to Rwanda, where their asylum applications will be processed. A treaty between London and Kigali facilitates this process. Regardless of the asylum outcome, individuals deported to Rwanda will not be permitted to return to the United Kingdom.
