UK confirms first migrants held for Rwanda deportation flights

The UK government has recently confirmed the detention of an unspecified number of migrants who are set to be deported to Rwanda in July under a new policy. 

                                        

This follows a contentious law that was passed last week, allowing some asylum seekers to be deported by declaring Rwanda as a safe third country. 

The new policy has raised concerns among human rights groups, who accuse the Rwandan government of suppressing dissent and free speech.

 However, the UK government has argued that the policy will deter tens of thousands of annual cross-Channel arrivals. Reports suggest that immigration enforcement officers have been holding people earmarked for the flights, and the interior ministry has confirmed that a series of nationwide operations are currently underway. 

The government is working at pace to detain those who have no right to be in the country so that flights can be scheduled in the next 10-12 weeks. 

The first illegal migrants set to be removed to Rwanda have now been detained, and the government expects to deport 5,700 migrants to Rwanda this year. To facilitate the deportation process, the government has increased detention capacity to over 2,200 spaces ahead of the first Rwanda flights. Commercial charter planes have also been booked, and an airport has been put on standby. 

Meanwhile, the UK government has confirmed that the first failed asylum seeker has travelled to Rwanda under a separate voluntary scheme. The Rwandan government has reportedly agreed "in principle" to accept 5,700 migrants, with 2,143 being located for detention before being flown there, leaving more than 3,500 currently accounted for.

 However, official statistics show arrivals have increased by over a quarter in the first third of the year compared to the same period in 2020, despite the policy being in effect. This has led to criticism from opposition lawmakers and human rights groups who argue that the policy is inhumane and could put vulnerable individuals at risk. Nevertheless, the UK government is determined to enforce the policy and swiftly deport those who have no right to be in the country.