UK sends first voluntary asylum seeker to Rwanda amid anti-migration agenda
UK govt plans to send thousands of asylum seekers to Rwanda
As UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak persists in his anti-migration stance, Britain has initiated its first transfer of an asylum seeker to Rwanda.
The movewhich falls under the voluntary scheme is distinct from an impending forced deportation initiative. This comes as the UK Parliament, in a bid to dissuade asylum seekers from undertaking perilous journeys across the English Channel to reach the European nation, in April, passed a contentious bill enabling the government to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for their cases to be assessed there.
These transfers align with Sunak's agenda to curb irregular migration, with the government planning to commence forced deportations by July, as per reports.
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Reports indicatedthat the individual departed the UK after agreeing to relocate to Kigali following the rejection of his asylum claim last year. In return for his agreement, he will get up to £3,000 ($3,742), reports said quoting a government source.
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While the British Home Office has not confirmed the reports, a government spokesperson stated, "We are now able to send asylum seekers to Rwanda under our migration and economic development partnership."
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"This deal allows people with no immigration status in the UK to be relocated to a safe third country where they will be supported to rebuild their lives," the spokesperson added.
The government is anticipating deporting 5,700 migrants to Rwanda this year as part of the scheme aimed at dissuading arrivals via small boats. Despite the government's assurances, concerns have risen as official figures suggesta substantial portion of identified individuals cannot be located or have stopped reporting to authorities.
A total of 2,145 out of 5,700 “continue to report to the Home Office and can be located for detention”, as per the impact assessmenton the Home Office’s website. Notably, the controversial scheme has faced strong opposition from human rights groups and campaigners, yet Sunak remains determined to implement it by July.
(With inputs from agencies)