The government announced on Wednesday that the United Kingdom (UK) authorities have started holding asylum seekers as part of a new plan to deport them to Rwanda.
News About Nigeria reports that the first deportation flights are expected to depart as early as July.
Home Secretary James Cleverly announced that enforcement teams are working to detain individuals who do not have the right to remain in the UK, in order to facilitate deportation flights.
The confirmation of the round-ups follows the passing of a law by legislators, declaring Rwanda as a safe third country.
This move bypasses an earlier ruling by the UK Supreme Court, which had deemed the scheme unlawful on human rights grounds.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has pledged to curb the influx of migrants and asylum seekers arriving via small boats from mainland Europe, announced last week that the government would promptly detain individuals ahead of deportation flights, expected to commence within 10 to 12 weeks.
Describing it as “another major milestone” in the Rwanda plan, the UK’s Home Office released photographs and a video showing immigration enforcement officers detaining several individuals with handcuffs at various locations.
However, the scheme has been criticised.
The charity Freedom from Torture condemned the government’s actions on social media, stating that “this government has lost its last ounce of humanity”.
A senior minister disclosed that the government anticipates deporting 5,700 people this year, with Rwanda having “in principle” agreed to accept that number.
However, thousands of potential deportees remain unaccounted for, with only 2,143 located for detention.
Ministers have reassured the public that enforcement teams will locate these individuals.
Commercial charter planes have already been secured, and an airport has been placed on standby.
The government argues that the policy will discourage people from making the dangerous journey across the English Channel, given that this year over 7,500 people have entered the UK in tiny boats from France.
