BRITISH government officials have confirmed the detention of an unspecified number of migrants as part of the country’s new immigration policy, which allows for the deportation of asylum-seekers to Rwanda, despite previous legal obstacles. The move, announced on Wednesday, comes in the wake of the recent parliamentary passage of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s flagship immigration law.
The new law, championed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, permits the deportation of asylum-seekers who arrive in Britain without permission to so-called safe third countries. This development circumvents a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that had previously barred the deportation of migrants to Rwanda due to concerns about the risk of ill-treatment.
While Rwanda boasts modern infrastructure and claims to be one of the most stable nations in Africa, human rights groups regularly criticize the government for its restrictions on free speech. Nonetheless, the British government has pressed ahead with preparations for deportation, including booking commercial charter planes and increasing detention capacity to over 2,200 spaces.
According to government sources, the first flights to Rwanda could commence within 10 to 12 weeks. Prime Minister Sunak expressed satisfaction that ‘the first detentions have taken place,’ signalling the government’s commitment to enforcing the new policy.
Authorities anticipate deporting approximately 5,700 migrants to Rwanda this year, with plans to locate and detain over 2,100 individuals for deportation. However, concerns remain about the whereabouts of more than 3,500 migrants who have not yet been accounted for.
The Conservative Party, led by Sunak, argues that the threat of deportation will deter migrants from making the perilous journey across the English Channel. However, opposition members, including the Labour Party, have criticised the policy as a ‘gimmick’ that will not address the root causes of migration.
Meanwhile, public resistance to deportations persists, with civil service trade union FDA lodging an appeal against the new law. FDA General Secretary Dave Penman condemned the government’s approach, stating, ‘Civil servants should never be left in a position where they are conflicted between the instructions of ministers and adhering to the Civil Service Code.’