UK Deports First Asylum Seeker to Rwanda under Controversial Scheme

The UK government has sent the first asylum seeker to Rwanda under a new law allowing for the deportation of irregular migrants.

The man, an African national, agreed to the voluntary scheme after his asylum application was rejected at the end of last year.

He received up to £3,000 in exchange for leaving the UK and is due to arrive in Kigali on a commercial flight.

The controversial law has faced criticism from human rights groups and the opposition.

The expulsions are set to begin in July.

The British Home Office would not confirm reports to AFP about sending asylum seekers to Rwanda, but confirmed that they are now able to do so under a partnership with Rwanda.

This deal allows the UK to relocate asylum seekers with no immigration status to Rwanda, where they will be supported.

The UK government aims to deport 5,700 migrants to Rwanda in 2023 to deter small boat arrivals from northern Europe.

Over 57,000 people arrived on small boats in the UK between January 2022 and June 2022.