London, UK – April 22nd, 2024 – British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged a setback in his signature policy to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. The flights, originally planned for spring, will now depart “every month” starting in July, following parliamentary approval.
Sunak blamed delays on opposition from the House of Lords, which has repeatedly amended the “Rwanda Plan” legislation. He pledged to keep Parliament in session on Monday, potentially through the night, to resolve the impasse.
The first deportation flights are now expected to take off in 10-12 weeks, targeting undocumented migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. Sunak vowed these flights would continue “every month” throughout the summer until the flow of migrants ceases.
“The only way to stop the boats is to eliminate the incentive to come,” Sunak declared, referring to the policy’s intended deterrent effect. He accused the Labour Party of lacking a viable alternative solution.
We are ready.
Plans are in place.
No foreign court will stop us getting flights off. pic.twitter.com/5nlPPN1ksx
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 22, 2024
Stalemate in Parliament
The government’s plan hinges on the passage of the “Rwanda Plan” bill, which designates Rwanda as a safe haven for asylum seekers. This designation is crucial to bypassing legal challenges.
However, the House of Lords has blocked the bill’s swift passage. Peers have proposed amendments, including requiring independent monitoring of Rwanda’s asylum system and exempting certain refugees, like those who aided British forces in Afghanistan.
The government rejects these amendments, leading to a parliamentary tug-of-war. The House of Commons can overrule the Lords’ changes, but this process takes time.
Sunak Seeks ‘Systematic Deterrent’
Sunak views the Rwanda plan as a “systematic deterrent” to illegal immigration. He pointed to a successful agreement with Albania that significantly reduced Albanian migration last year.
However, the number of Vietnamese migrants arriving by boat has surged this year. Sunak blames criminal gangs for this increase and emphasizes the need for innovative solutions to disrupt their business model.
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