The UK Government’s Rwanda deportation plan has successfully navigated through Parliament, despite considerable resistance, and is set to receive royal assent. The legislation, aimed at deterring illegal migration by rerouting asylum seekers to Rwanda, faced substantial opposition from both the House of Lords and various political figures.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak championed the bill as a “landmark legislation” essential for breaking the business model of criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable migrants. Home Secretary James Cleverly echoed this sentiment, stating the law would prevent misuse of human rights claims obstructing deportations.
However, the opposition, led by Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, criticised the plan’s efficacy and cost. Cooper highlighted the disproportionate expense of the scheme, which estimates over £500 million for processing merely 300 asylum seekers. She argued that these funds would be better allocated to enhancing UK border security.
Despite the bill’s passage, critics like Robert Jenrick, former immigration minister, have expressed skepticism regarding its practical impact, suggesting it serves more as a political symbol than a solution. The Refugee Council’s Enver Solomon also pointed out the logistical and ethical challenges, emphasizing the ongoing costs and the need for fair hearings on UK soil.
