First deportation flight from UK to Rwanda
The green light was given by Home Secretary Priti Patel for the first flight to leave on June 14.
The deportation plan comes under the Rwanda Policy which will send male migrants who come illegally to the UK 4000 miles to Rwanda for asylum processing, where they will be encouraged to stay and make a living.
Designed to break smuggling networks and deter migrants across the channel, formal notices have been sent out to a group of asylum seekers alerting them of the flight.
With plenty of backlash since the policy was announced the Government is bracing itself for numerous legal challenges over the deportation.
A civil service union as well as two groups of lawyers representing charities are said to be leading the fight back.
The Home Secretary said in response to the legal challenges: “We know attempts will now be made to frustrate the process and delay removals, I will not be deterred and remain fully committed to delivering what the British public expect.”
Numbers and details about who and how the people have been selected are still minimal but officials are saying it is people who are already in detention.
In a statement, Patel said: “Our world-leading partnership with Rwanda is a key part of our strategy to overhaul the broken asylum system and break the evil people-smugglers’ business model."
The statement also explained how the asylum seekers wouldn't be forgotten about due to the support and investment plans the UK government has in Rwanda.
"Once in Rwanda, there is a generous support package, including up to five years of training, accommodation, and healthcare on arrival in Rwanda. Under this partnership the UK is also investing an initial £120m into the economic development and growth of Rwanda,”
With the policy designed to fight back against channel crossings, since its announcement the numbers have steadily increased with nearly 5000 people making the journey since April 14, which is two and a half times the number that crossed in the same period in 2021.
The government will be hoping the policy works, and has conveniently started when the pressure of Prime Minister Boris Johnson is heating up and is possibly facing a vote of no confidence next week after the Queen's Platinum Jubilee ends.