On Thursday, a raging debate erupted over the government’s plans to deport “tens of thousands” of asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing.
Despite opposition politicians and human rights groups calling the move “irresponsible” and unworkable, Prime Minister David Cameron used a historic speech at Lydd Airport in Kent to insist that the new hardline immigration policy would be “fully compliant” with Britain’s international legal obligations.
However, he acknowledged that the deal with the Rwandan government, which was signed on Thursday morning in the African nation’s capital Kigali by Home Secretary Priti Patel and Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, was likely to face legal challenges.
The first people to be transferred to Rwanda will get formal notifications in the coming weeks, according to the Home Office, and the first flights will take place in the coming months. It went on to say that anyone who entered the UK illegally could be eligible.
“Let’s be clear, Rwanda is one of the safest countries in the world, globally recognized for its record on welcoming and integrating migrants. We are confident that our new Migration Partnership is fully compliant with our international legal obligations, but nevertheless we expect this will be challenged in the courts.”- Mr. Johnson said.
