LONDON, England
British authorities have started detaining migrants as part of preparations to relocate them to Rwanda within the next nine to 11 weeks. The government announced on Wednesday (May. 1st), marking a significant step in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's immigration strategy.
Officers were seen entering
homes and bringing out people in handcuffs, who were put in the back of secure
vans in an undisclosed location.
According to the government,
"operational teams within the Home Office have been working at pace to
safely and swiftly detain individuals in scope for relocation to Rwanda, with
more activity due to be carried out in the coming weeks".
Reports from Care4Calais, a
refugee charity, confirm that detentions commenced on Monday (Apr. 29), with
numerous individuals reaching out to their helpline expressing concerns.
Details regarding who will be selected for the initial deportation flight and
its timing remain undisclosed.
Photographs shared by the UK's
interior ministry on Wednesday depict individuals being detained by immigration
enforcement officials.
ALSO READ: UK plans to send 6,000 migrants to Rwanda in 2024
"Our dedicated
enforcement teams are working diligently to promptly apprehend those without
lawful status so that we can expedite the departure of flights," remarked
Interior Minister James Cleverly in a Wednesday statement.
British Prime Minister Rishi
Sunak has pledged that the first deportation flights will leave UK by early
July.
He has staked the future of
the Conservative party on that bill. General elections will be held in the
nation no later than on January 28th next year.
In April, Parliament endorsed
legislation to facilitate the transfer of asylum seekers to Rwanda if they
entered Britain without authorization. Sunak aims for the inaugural flights to
depart in July.
With over 7,500 migrants
having arrived in England via small boats from France this year, the government
asserts that this policy will dissuade individuals from undertaking perilous
journeys across the Channel. Tragically, five people lost their lives attempting
the crossing last week.
Opposition to the policy from
human rights organizations and unions is anticipated, with expectations of
renewed legal challenges to prevent the flights from proceeding, especially
following the UK Supreme Court's ruling last year declaring the policy unlawful.
Photographs shared by the UK's
interior ministry on Wednesday depict individuals being detained by immigration
enforcement officials, underscoring the swift implementation of these measures.
According to The Sun
Newspaper, Britain has already initiated its first asylum seeker relocation to
Rwanda under a voluntary program, distinct from the deportation policy.
Natasha Tsangarides, Associate
Director of Advocacy at Freedom from Torture, highlighted the widespread fear
among migrants, suggesting that apprehensions about detention and relocation to
Rwanda may drive some individuals to evade authorities and sever ties with
support networks.
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