UK Sends First Voluntary Asylum Seeker to Rwanda in Landmark Move

The first asylum seeker has been deported to Rwanda under Rishi Sunak’s migrant crackdown, marking a significant development in the UK’s immigration policy. The migrant, whose identity remains unknown, was flown out of the UK yesterday evening and arrived in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

He was put on a commercial flight and provided with around £3,000 from the British taxpayer to assist in his relocation under the terms of a deal with Rwanda. This move represents the first instance of the government relocating a failed asylum seeker to a third country, signaling a shift in the approach to handling immigration issues.

According to a source cited by The Sun, this successful deportation demonstrates that it is both possible and legal for Britain to remove failed asylum seekers to Rwanda in a smooth manner. In March, the Home Office confirmed a voluntary relocation plan for individuals found in Britain without the right to be there.

Despite the deportation of 19,000 failed asylum seekers in 2023, there are still tens of thousands of migrants in the system who cannot be returned to their home countries. The government has emphasized the cost-effectiveness of sending migrants to Rwanda rather than supporting them in the UK, even after providing financial assistance and flights.

However, reports have surfaced regarding the Home Office’s struggle to locate thousands of migrants set to be deported to Rwanda. While Rwanda has agreed to accept 5,700 individuals, only 2,143 are currently accounted for, raising concerns about potential absconding. The Home Office has clarified that the remaining 3,557 individuals may not have absconded but are not subject to reporting restrictions.