Sudanese Asylum Seeker Detained: First Potential Case of Rwanda Deportation under New Law
A Sudanese asylum seeker was detained by the Home Office after a routine appointment and told he would be deported to Rwanda, marking the first potential case under the new law.
The man, who was held in Croydon, had gone to sign in as required, but was instead informed of his deportation.
Soas Detainee Support reported the incident to The Guardian.
A government impact assessment released on Tuesday warned that changes to asylum policies could lead to more vulnerable and traumatized people being held and deported to Rwanda.
On Tuesday night, it was reported that the first person had been relocated to Rwanda under a voluntary removal scheme, receiving up to £3,000 in exchange.
Thousands of people the government hoped to deport had stopped reporting to the Home Office, according to official figures released on Monday.
Three asylum seekers, including a Sudanese man and an Afghan, were detained after attending the Lunar House immigration reporting center in Croydon.
They have been identified by the Sudanese Community Association and all three are at risk of deportation to Rwanda, despite not yet receiving official notices.