First illegal immigrant sent to Rwanda under voluntary scheme
The UK has moved its first illegal migrant to Rwanda, according to reports.
The man has been relocated to the country after taking part in a voluntary removal scheme, that is separate to the governmentâs controversial Rwanda deportation policy, The Times reports.
It is claimed the man agreed to be removed to Rwanda on a commercial flight, and in exchange a payment of up to ÂŁ3,000 in exchange, government sources told the paper..
The man, who is believed to be of African origin, left the UK on Monday â becoming the first migrant to be relocated to a third country by the UK under a voluntary scheme
A source told The Sun: âThis proves itâs possible and legal for Britain to remove failed asylum seekers to Rwanda successfully and smoothly.â
The first flight taking refugees to Rwanda is expected to take off in the summer after MPs passed Rishi Sunakâs Safety of Rwanda Bill
Immigration enforcement officials are on Wednesday expected to carry out a series of raids to detain migrants before they are taken to Kigali.
It is claimed, refugees will be immediately transferred to detention centres that the Home Office has prepared for the operation.
The voluntary relocation plan for failed immigrants was confirmed by the Government in March.
At the time it claimed that Rwanda stood âready to accept people who wish to rebuild their lives and cannot stay in the UK.â
Responding to the claims about the first deportation under the voluntary scheme, a Government spokesperson said: âWe are now able to send asylum seekers to Rwanda under our migration and economic development partnership. This deal allows people with no immigration status in the UK to be relocated to a safe third country where they will be supported to rebuild their lives.â
Refugee rights campaigners claim the detentions risked sparking legal battles, plus community protests and clashes with police.
Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: âThe government is determined to recklessly pursue its inhumane Rwanda plan despite the cost, chaos and human misery it will unleash. We know it is likely to cause a catastrophic system meltdown.â
Asylum seekers who have stopped reporting to the Home Office after being earmarked for deportation to Rwanda âwill be foundâ, a Cabinet minister has said.
According to a Government document, only 2,143 out of the 5,700 people identified for removal to the East African nation âcontinue to report to the Home Office and can be located for detentionâ.
On Tuesday, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told Sky News that the Home Office is âused to thisâ and law enforcement agencies have âa range of measuresâ to find and remove people who are not reporting as required.
She said: âWe want the message to go out loud and clear that if somebody doesnât report as they should do, they shouldnât think that theyâll get away with it. They will be found.â
Additional reporting by Press Association.