
The government announced on Wednesday that British authorities had begun to detain migrants in anticipation of their sending them to Rwanda within the next nine to eleven weeks. This move sets the foundation for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak‘s signature immigration policy.
Parliament passed a law in April that would allow asylum seekers who entered the country illegally to be sent to Rwanda; Sunak wants the first flights to depart in July.
Thus far this year, over 7,500 migrants have made their way from France to England aboard small boats; the government hopes that this policy will discourage people from taking the risky journey across the Channel. Last week, five people lost their lives while attempting to cross.
Human rights organizations and labor unions against the policy are anticipated to file new lawsuits to halt the flights after the UK Supreme Court ruled last year that the policy was unconstitutional.
Images of two men—one being led out of his home in handcuffs and the other being placed in a van by immigration enforcement officers—were made public by the British interior ministry on Wednesday.
Interior Minister James Cleverly said in a statement on Wednesday, “Our dedicated enforcement teams operate at pace to swiftly detain individuals who have no right to be here so we may get flights off the ground.”
A refugee charity called Care4Calais said that the detentions had begun on Monday.
A representative for the organization reported that “tens of people” had called the helpline, but they were still unsure of who would be targeted for the first deportation flight or when it would be attempted.
According to The Sun Newspaper on Tuesday, Britain sent its first asylum seeker to Rwanda as part of a voluntary program that was distinct from the deportation policy.
“People are very afraid,” stated Natasha Tsangarides, Associate Director of Advocacy at the nonprofit organization Freedom from Torture. She added that some people may choose to withdraw from society and stop communicating with their support network out of fear of being arrested and transferred to Rwanda.