Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has thrown his weight behind a controversial US proposal to deport migrants to Rwanda, a policy strikingly similar to the UK's own divisive scheme. The plan, which has sparked fierce debate on both sides of the Atlantic, would see asylum seekers sent to the African nation for processing.
A Transatlantic Controversy
The US initiative mirrors Britain's Rwanda deportation policy, which has faced legal challenges and widespread criticism from human rights groups. Johnson, architect of the UK's version, praised the American move as a "bold solution" to irregular migration.
Human Rights Concerns
Opponents argue the policy violates international law and fails to address root causes of migration. "This is simply outsourcing our humanitarian responsibilities," said one refugee charity spokesperson. Supporters counter that such measures are necessary to break people-smuggling networks and prevent dangerous crossings.
Political Reactions
The proposal has deepened divisions in Washington, with Democrats condemning it as cruel while some Republicans hail it as an effective deterrent. In the UK, the Labour Party has vowed to scrap the Rwanda scheme if elected, calling it "unworkable and unethical".
As both nations grapple with record migration numbers, the Rwanda solution continues to polarise opinion, raising fundamental questions about how Western democracies should manage borders in an era of global displacement.
