London, UK – April 22nd, 2024 – British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s signature policy to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing has been pushed back to summer, despite initial promises of a spring launch.
In a press conference today, Sunak acknowledged the delay but vowed the government’s commitment to the plan. He pledged “monthly flights” starting in July to deter migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats.
The first deportation flights are now expected to take off in 10-12 weeks, indicating a July start date. Sunak had previously aimed for a much earlier launch, hoping to showcase the policy before a potential general election later this year.
Despite the setback, Sunak assured the public that commercial charter planes and trained personnel are ready to transport asylum seekers to Rwanda. He emphasized the government’s resolve, stating flights would depart “every month” throughout the summer until the flow of migrants stops.
Migration remains a hot-button political issue in the UK. Over 4,600 migrants had crossed the Channel in small boats by late March this year.
We are ready.
Plans are in place.
No foreign court will stop us getting flights off. pic.twitter.com/5nlPPN1ksx
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 22, 2024Sunak intends to force Parliament to work late on Monday, potentially through the night, to resolve a standoff with the House of Lords over the Rwanda legislation. He blamed the opposition Labour Party for stalling the bill and delaying the deportations.
The government’s plan hinges on a bill that declares Rwanda a “safe” country for asylum seekers. This designation aims to bypass legal challenges. However, the bill has faced hurdles in the House of Lords, which has repeatedly introduced amendments.
Last week, the Lords approved two key amendments. One requires Rwanda to fully implement an independent monitoring committee before being deemed safe. Another exempts certain refugees, including Afghans who aided British forces, from the deportation scheme.
WATCH: No ifs, no buts. These flights are going to Rwanda. https://t.co/lrTRFv3d25
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 22, 2024Sunak remains confident that the Rwanda plan is the “systematic deterrent” the government needs. He argued that eliminating the incentive to come by showing illegal arrivals won’t be able to stay is the only way to stop the crossings.
He further criticized the Labour Party, claiming they lack a plan to address the issue. “They have no treaty bill and no flights to Rwanda,” Sunak said, suggesting they’ve accepted the problem as unsolvable.
The Prime Minister acknowledged some progress. An agreement with Albania significantly reduced illegal migration from that country last year. However, he admitted to a rise in vulnerable Vietnamese migrants using smugglers to enter the UK.
“The truth is, we need innovative solutions to address a global crisis,” Sunak said. “We need to disrupt the business model of people-smuggling gangs. And that means a systematic deterrent.”