The UK's Illegal Migration Bill has passed through the House of Commons, after being approved by 289 votes to 230. The bill will now progress through further

readings in the House of Lords, and must be passed by both Houses and receive royal assent before it becomes law.

If the bill passes the House of Lords, it will prevent individuals who arrive in the UK without documentation from claiming asylum. This would result in their detention and removal to countries such as Rwanda or another "safe country" with a relocation policy. However, this provision has proved controversial, with critics suggesting it contravenes the UK's commitments under the 1951 Refugee Convention. The UNHCR has claimed that the bill would "all but extinguish the right to claim asylum in the UK," while UN Assistant High Commissioner Gillian Triggs has argued that it breaches international law and poses a risk to children's welfare.

The bill's provisions also apply to pregnant women, and unaccompanied child migrants must be removed when they reach the age of 18. The legislation will also introduce a cap on those arriving through a "safe route" with documentation, but this will only be implemented once the "small boat issue" has been resolved, according to Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

The opposition Labour Party proposed five amendments to the bill, but all were defeated in voting that took place on Wednesday evening. A further amendment proposed by former Prime Minister Theresa May was not voted on. This bill is the second contentious piece of legislation to pass through Parliament on Wednesday, alongside the Public Order Bill, which is due to receive royal assent. Photo by UK Parliament, Wikimedia commons.