The first set of migrants who arrived in the United Kingdom illegally will be notified this week if they will be relocated to Rwanda for government processing.
Metro reports the Home Office has confirmed they will soon redirect asylum seekers who arrived illegally via the English Channel to the East African country.
The Home Office added they have ‘the power to detain individuals pending their removal from the UK’.
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While it’s unknown when migrants will be flown out, the Government confirmed they could expect flights in the coming months.
The relocation of illegal migrants comes after Home Secretary Priti Patel signed the agreement in the capital, Kigali, last month.
However, the scheme has been met with fierce criticism from politicians and activist groups who have deemed the policy ‘unethical’.
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Shadow residence secretary Yvette Cooper said the migrant initiative would also worsen the ‘cost of living’ crisis for many in the UK, according to The Guardian.
“It is an unworkable, unethical and extortionate policy that would cost the UK taxpayer billions of pounds during a cost of living crisis and would make it harder not easier to get fast and fair asylum decisions,” she said.
Over the weekend, refugee activists also confronted Patel during her speech at a spring dinner for Conservative party members.
As the British politician addressed attendees, a protester stood up shouting: “Priti Patel, your racist policies are killing people.
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“Your plans to send people seeking asylum to Rwanda are inhuman, they’re inhumane and are ruining people’s lives.”
The protester was escorted out of the building by security before other activists also jumped up to criticise the UK’s immigration plans.
The demonstration, organised by Green New Deal Rising, an activist group that focuses on social justice, captured footage while writing: "Last night we disrupted @pritipatel because her #Rwandaplan is cruel, morally bankrupt & it will cost lives.
“We demand the Government drops this widely condemned policy & provides support for people seeking safety.
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“No matter where we come from, we all deserve dignity & respect.”
However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended the deal between Rwanda and the UK last week, telling reporters at Southampton Airport that it is a ‘very, very sensible thing’, according to politics.co.uk.
He also added it is a ‘great deal between two countries, each helping the other’.
Featured Image Credit: REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/Alamy. AlamyTopics: UK News, Politics, Racism
