What is the UK's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda?

The UK government has devised a plan to transfer certain asylum seekers to Rwanda, necessitating new legislation after the Supreme Court ruled the strategy illegal.

If relocated, these individuals would undergo claim processing in Rwanda, potentially gaining refugee status or applying to settle under different criteria. However, they wouldn't be allowed to return to the UK.

Although the initiative aims to deter perilous crossings of the English Channel, no deportations to Rwanda have occurred to date. The initial flight, set for June 2022, was grounded by legal interventions.

In March 2024, the government introduced an incentive of up to £3,000 for failed asylum seekers to voluntarily relocate to Rwanda.

Following the Supreme Court's verdict, which highlighted human rights concerns, a new bill is underway to affiliate Rwanda as a safe destination, bypassing conflicting human rights provisions. Despite criticism, the bill passed the House of Commons and faced resistance in the House of Lords.

A fresh treaty ensures relocated individuals won’t be sent back to their origin countries, featuring oversight by an independent committee and British judges in the appeal process.

The UK has already paid Rwanda £240 million, with projected costs up to £370 million over five years, excluding incentives for voluntary relocation. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claims fiscal benefits, but provides no specifics.

Annually, the UK's asylum system incurs nearly £4 billion in expenses. Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has even offered to refund the UK if no deportations take place.