Rwanda asylum plan is working

Channel migrants are already asking to be sent home – not to African centres

ASYLUM seekers are abandoning their attempts to stay in the UK because they are afraid of being sent to Rwanda, The Mail on Sunday has learned.

Up to ten migrants have already asked to be returned home rather than risk having their claims for refugee status assessed in the African nation.

They had begun the asylum process here but withdrew after the Government announced the policy last month. The news is a boost to Home Secretary Priti Patel as it offers the first sign that her plan – aimed at deterring migrants from making the perilous journey across the Channel – is beginning to work.

This newspaper can also reveal almost 100 migrants have now been given notice that they will be transported to Rwanda. Home Office officials hope the number abandoning their claims will increase rapidly once the first flights to Rwanda begin – possibly as early as next month.

‘It’s a positive start,’ said a Government source.

‘We always said we need to get the flights going before it becomes a deterrent, but this shows the direction we’re heading and why we introduced the policy.’ It emerged yesterday some asylum seekers will be put up at the three-star Rouge by Desir hotel in the Rwandan capital Kigali. It has a swimming pool, tennis court, gym and access to a golf course.

According to The Sun, others are expected to be housed at the Hallmark Residence, also in Kigali, which has three and four-bedroom bungalows and has put aside 102 rooms for migrants.

The more basic Hope Hostel, which is being renovated, is also likely to be used.

Those notified of the Home Office’s intention to remove them to Rwanda have seven days to submit a legal challenge. It is understood that at least 20 appeals have been lodged, although only two cases have been made public.

Lawyers are expected to fight the removals with the same determination they use to challenge the deportation of foreign criminals. The first flights to Rwanda have already been delayed by a legal appeal from a coalition of charities and a trade union representing immigration officials.

‘The Rwanda flights will be the same as the charter planes for criminals, with legal claims right up until the last minute,’ predicted another Home Office insider. ‘But even if some are going, it will be helpful. The precedent needs to be set.’

No flights are expected to leave before June 6.

Under a £120 million deal unveiled last month, Rwanda will process asylum claims and ‘settle or remove’ them in line with Rwandan and international law. The Home Office reportedly expects about 300 people to be deported to Rwanda each year.

A boat carrying 41 migrants was detected in the Channel on Friday, while 106 migrants crossed in three boats on Thursday. Around 9,000 have crossed so far this year.

Last night, Tory MP Gary

‘Illegal migration and evil smuggler gangs’

Sambrook – one of the Tories who won ‘Red Wall’ Labour seats at the 2019 Election – hailed the plan’s progress.

The Birmingham Northfield MP said: ‘Priti Patel has been proved right about how to tackle illegal migration and the evil smuggler gangs.’

The policy has been criticised by Left-leaning critics, including the Archbishop of Canterbury. A Home Office source said: ‘Our focus is on getting the first flight off the ground as that’s when the deterrent effect will really kick in.’