UK Offers £3,000 Incentive for Asylum Seekers to Relocate to Rwanda
The United Kingdom is introducing a new measure offering migrants whose asylum claims are rejected a £3,000 ($3,800) incentive to move to Rwanda. This initiative is part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s broader strategy to curb irregular migration. While the UK already has a program in place that financially supports failed asylum seekers returning to their home countries, this new measure specifically targets individuals who are unable to return to their countries of origin.
The proposed plan does not replace the existing strategy to deport illegal arrivals to Rwanda, a tactic that has faced legal challenges due to concerns about the safety of the East African country. To address these concerns, the UK government introduced a bill seeking to designate Rwanda as a “safe” country. However, this legislation faced setbacks as the House of Lords passed five amendments that, if ratified, would make it more challenging for the House of Commons to declare Rwanda as safe. The amendments also require the government to adhere to domestic and international law.
The bill, which compels judges to consider Rwanda as a safe country and grants ministers the power to overlook certain aspects of the Human Rights Act, aims to overcome legal obstacles. Despite the setbacks, Prime Minister Sunak remains committed to the plan. Rwanda has received $300 million from London in exchange for accepting deportees, but as of now, no deportation flights have taken off under the agreement reached in April 2022. The introduction of the £3,000 incentive underscores the UK’s determination to address migration issues and navigate legal challenges in pursuing its objectives.
