UK: Dozens Detained as Ministers Prepare to Send Asylum Seekers to Rwanda

UK authorities have begun detaining asylum seekers to be sent to Rwanda, according to sources.

Dozens of detentions have taken place in cities such as Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Bristol.

Ministers have confirmed the detentions, which are part of a plan to remove adults from the UK on a one-way flight to Rwanda.

Demonstrations have occurred outside Home Office buildings in response to the news.

The number of people detained so far has not been disclosed by officials.

The text reports that enforcement action related to the UK government's Rwanda deportation plan has taken place in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The civil servants' union, FDA, has applied for a judicial review against the plan.

The FDA stated that their members could face violations of the civil service code if they disregard an urgent injunction from Strasbourg prohibiting a deportation.

The Guardian revealed that detentions began on Monday, with several asylum seekers being detained during routine Home Office appointments.

The Labour party has criticized the timing and cost of the Rwanda scheme, which is estimated to cost over £500m over five years.

A party source questioned if the recent surge in news stories about immigration is a symbolic move before the election, as former immigration minister Robert Jenrick had suggested.

Downing Street denied this, with the prime minister's press secretary stating that there is no time to waste in addressing the issue of people dying in the Channel due to being induced into boats by gangs.