The British government has secured parliamentary approval for its controversial plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill has been passed despite resistance from the House of Lords, which sought to implement changes to safeguard asylum seekers’ rights.
The government has stated that the first flights to Rwanda will commence in July, with around 150 asylum seekers expected on the initial two or three flights. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his determination to proceed with the plan, emphasizing that “nothing will stand in our way” of addressing irregular migration.
The government has made preparations for the deportations, including expanding detention spaces to 2,200 and securing commercial charter planes for the flights. Additionally, 500 personnel have been trained to escort asylum seekers to Rwanda, with 300 more undergoing training.
Asylum seekers will have seven days to appeal their deportation after receiving notice, with a proportion of appeals reaching the upper immigration tribunal, which must make rulings within 22 days. However, the government has recruited a pool of judges to expedite the process and ensure that flights can take off as planned.
Charities supporting refugees have indicated their intention to challenge individual deportations in court, arguing that Rwanda may not be a safe destination. While the bill restricts asylum seekers’ ability to challenge the policy as a whole, legal challenges based on personal circumstances may still be possible.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) could potentially intervene and issue rulings against the deportations. However, Mr. Sunak has indicated that the government will disregard any such rulings, prompting concerns from the civil service union FDA.
The government’s “perma-backlog” policy has left over 55,500 asylum seekers in limbo, with their cases paused pending the outcome of the Rwanda policy. The spending watchdog, the National Audit Office, estimates that the cost of sending 300 people to Rwanda could reach £1.9 million per person, with a total cost of at least £370 million over five years.
Despite the challenges and concerns, the government remains committed to implementing the Rwanda deportation plan, which it believes will deter irregular migration and provide a safe and secure route to asylum in the UK.
