Failed asylum seekers are being presented with an opportunity to receive up to £3,000 to move to Rwanda as part of a new voluntary initiative.
Reported initially by The Times, this scheme is said to be a modified version of an existing program facilitating voluntary returns, where failed asylum seekers are given monetary assistance to return to their country of origin. The offer is extended to individuals whose asylum claims have been rejected by the UK, particularly targeting those unable to return to their home countries.
This initiative comes amidst the government's efforts to implement a separate deportation scheme, aimed at individuals deemed to have entered the UK unlawfully, which faced legal hurdles due to concerns regarding Rwanda's safety. To address these concerns, the government is pushing for the approval of the Safety of Rwanda Bill, designating Rwanda as a safe destination.
In contrast to the deportation scheme, the newly proposed relocation scheme is voluntary and does not hinge on the passage of the bill by Parliament, according to sources cited by the BBC.
A spokesperson from the Home Office emphasized the importance of voluntary departures in addressing illegal migration, stating, "We are exploring voluntary relocations for those who have no right to be here to Rwanda, who stand ready to accept people who wish to rebuild their lives and cannot stay in the UK."
Under this scheme, failed asylum seekers opting for relocation to Rwanda would be granted the right to work legally in the country, unlike in the UK. Additionally, they would receive support upon their arrival in Rwanda. The scheme is also intended to be extended to other individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK, including foreign criminals.
The timeline for the implementation of the scheme and the projected number of participants remain unspecified.
In response to the initiative, Labour's shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock expressed skepticism, stating that the government's reliance on financial incentives reflects a lack of confidence in the Rwanda deportation scheme. He urged the government to provide clarity on the logistical aspects and costs associated with the scheme, highlighting Rwanda's limited capacity to accommodate relocated individuals. Photo by SteveRwanda, Wikimedia commons.