The first group of illegal migrants with no right to be in the UK will this week be informed of our intention to relocate them to Rwanda, the Home Office has confirmed.
Migrants who crossed the Channel will be among those to be notified by the Home Office that they face a one-way ticket to the East African nation.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Britain’s asylum system is broken as criminals exploit and smuggle people into our country at huge costs to UK taxpayers.
People thought to be migrants in Dover
Gareth Fuller
Home Secretary Priti Patel says this is "just the first stage of the process"
Aaron Chown
"The world-leading migration partnership with Rwanda means those making dangerous, unnecessary and illegal journeys to the UK may be relocated to Rwanda to have their claims for asylum considered and to rebuild their lives there – helping break the people smugglers’ business model and prevent loss of life.
“This is just the first stage of the process and we know it will take time as some will seek to frustrate the process and delay removals.
"I will not be deterred from acting to deliver on the changes the British people voted for to take back control of our money, laws and borders.”
The Home Office added that the Government “has the power to detain individuals pending their removal from the UK”.
First flights are expected to take place in the coming months, the Home Office said, adding that lawyers for some of those affected will likely lodge claims to stop removal.
The news comes as the Home Office publishes guidance to inform the decision-making.
The guidance published includes an assessment of Rwanda, reaffirming that it is a safe country to relocate people to.
The guidance is based on a wide range of research, including visits to the country and interviews with independent organisations working there.