The UK government's plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda has been approved by Parliament but remains mired in legal challenges, with no flights expected before the general election on 4 July. The scheme, a key priority for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aims to deter migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Under the policy, anyone entering the UK 'illegally' after 1 January 2022 from a safe country such as France could be sent to Rwanda to have their asylum claims processed there. Successful claimants would be granted refugee status in Rwanda, while others could apply to settle or seek asylum elsewhere, but none would be allowed to return to the UK.
As of 11 June, 11,247 people had crossed the Channel in 2024, exceeding figures for the same period in the previous four years. The government had identified 52,000 asylum seekers potentially subject to removal, but official documents revealed it had lost contact with 3,557 of the first 5,700 identified. A government source denied they were missing, insisting all could be contacted.
In May, the scheme was expanded to include those whose asylum claims had been refused or withdrawn. Separately, the first failed asylum seeker was sent to Rwanda under a voluntary removals programme offering up to £3,000. Lawyers confirmed no flights would occur before at least 24 July, almost three weeks after the election.
The Supreme Court previously ruled the scheme unlawful, prompting the government to pass legislation declaring Rwanda a safe country, overriding parts of the Human Rights Act and international conventions. The FDA union, representing senior civil servants, launched a legal challenge fearing officials might be forced to break the law.
Opposition parties, including Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the SNP, have vowed to scrap the scheme if they win the election. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he would cancel it, citing breaches of international law. Prime Minister Sunak has promised a 'regular rhythm' of flights from late July if he returns to power.
