The first group of illlegal migrants will be informed of the Government’s intention to relocate them to Rwanda this week, the Home Office said on Monday evening.
As part of its new deportation scheme, migrants who crossed the Channel will be among those to be notified by the Home Office that they face a one-way ticket to the East African nation.
The department added the Government “has the power to detain individuals pending their removal from the UK”.
First flights are expected to take place in the coming months, the Home Office said, adding that lawyers for some of those affected will likely lodge claims to stop removal.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Britain’s asylum system is broken as criminals exploit and smuggle people into our country at huge costs to UK taxpayers.
“The world-leading migration partnership with Rwanda means those making dangerous, unnecessary and illegal journeys to the UK may be relocated to Rwanda to have their claims for asylum considered and to rebuild their lives there, helping break the people smugglers’ business model and prevent loss of life.
“This is just the first stage of the process and we know it will take time as some will seek to frustrate the process and delay removals.
“I will not be deterred from acting to deliver on the changes the British people voted for to take back control of our money, laws and borders.”
The controversial scheme has received widespread criticism from opposition parties, charities and humanitarian groups and senior clergymen from the Church of England.
The Archbishop of Canterbury used his Easter Sunday sermon to denounce the scheme, saying it raised “serious ethical questions” during his Easter Sunday sermon.
The Most Reverend Justin Welby said the government was “subcontracting our responsibilities” and he said the plans cannot “stand the judgment of God”.
He was joined by the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell who branded the policy was “depressing and distressing”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended the Rwanda deal, calling it a “very sensible thing” and a “humane, compassionate and sensible” solution to tackling Channel crossings.
Under the new plans, anyone arriving in the UK on a small boat seeking sanctuary will be flown to Rwanda where their asylum claim will be processed.
An initial £120 million is expected to be given to the Rwandan government under a trial scheme, with costs likely to increase if both governments deem the trial to be a success.
Meanwhile, asylum seekers who are allowed to stay in the UK will stay in stricter reception centres, with the first to open in Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire. where arrivals will need to obey strict protocol or lose their claim to asylum.
It is thought the asylum seekers will be encouraged to relocate and rebuild their lives in Rwanda, rather than the UK.
