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What is the UK's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda and how many could go? What is the UK's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda and how many could go?
(about 1 month later)
UK government plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda are being challenged in the High Court. UK government plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda are being challenged in court.
The government argues the measures would reduce numbers crossing the English Channel. The government says the measures would reduce numbers crossing the English Channel, but critics question Rwanda's human rights record.
But critics question Rwanda's suitability because of concerns about its human rights record.
What is the Rwanda asylum plan?What is the Rwanda asylum plan?
The five-year trial will see asylum seekers who arrive in the UK sent to Rwanda on a one-way ticket, to claim asylum there. The five-year trial will see some asylum seekers who arrive in the UK sent to Rwanda on a one-way ticket, to claim asylum there.
They may be granted refugee status to stay in Rwanda. If not, they can apply to settle there on other grounds, or seek asylum in a "safe third country".They may be granted refugee status to stay in Rwanda. If not, they can apply to settle there on other grounds, or seek asylum in a "safe third country".
The government hopes the Rwanda policy will deter people who arrive in the UK through what it calls "illegal, dangerous or unnecessary methods", such as on small boats which cross the English Channel. The government says it will deter people arriving in the UK through "illegal, dangerous or unnecessary methods", such as on small boats which cross the English Channel.
How many people cross the Channel? However, the numbers crossing have not fallen since the policy was announced on 14 April. More than 33,500 people have already used this route to come to the UK this year, the highest figure since records began.
Why do migrants leave France for the UK?
What is an asylum seeker?What is an asylum seeker?
The UN Refugee Agency defines an asylum seeker as someone who has applied for shelter and protection in another country.The UN Refugee Agency defines an asylum seeker as someone who has applied for shelter and protection in another country.
A refugee is a person who has fled conflict or persecution in their own country.A refugee is a person who has fled conflict or persecution in their own country.
The legal rights of refugees are protected by international law. However, it is up to host countries to decide whether an asylum seeker is granted refugee status.The legal rights of refugees are protected by international law. However, it is up to host countries to decide whether an asylum seeker is granted refugee status.
In the year to June 2022, the UK received 63,089 asylum applications, the highest number for nearly 20 years. Of these, almost 16,000 people and their dependants were granted a form of protection by the government. In the year to June 2022, the UK received 63,089 asylum applications, the highest number for nearly 20 years. Of these, almost 16,000 people and their dependants were granted a form of protection.
New Prime Minister Liz Truss has consistently backed the Rwanda plan to tackle migration
How many people could be sent to Rwanda?How many people could be sent to Rwanda?
The UK government said "anyone entering the UK illegally" after 1 January 2022 could be sent, with no limit on numbers.The UK government said "anyone entering the UK illegally" after 1 January 2022 could be sent, with no limit on numbers.
Rwanda says it can process 1,000 asylum seekers during the trial period, but has capacity for more.Rwanda says it can process 1,000 asylum seekers during the trial period, but has capacity for more.
Under the deal, Rwanda can also ask the UK to take in some of its most vulnerable refugees.Under the deal, Rwanda can also ask the UK to take in some of its most vulnerable refugees.
However, no asylum seeker has actually been sent to the country. However, no asylum seeker has actually been sent to the country. The first flight was scheduled to go in June, but was cancelled after legal challenges.
The first flight was scheduled to go in June, but was cancelled after legal challenges.
What are the legal challenges?
Charities, campaign groups and lawyers representing asylum seekers have launched a series of legal challenges against the policy.
They deny Rwanda is a safe destination, and argue that the scheme breaks the European Convention on Human Rights.
The policy is now subject to a judicial review.
If this finds the policy to be unlawful, any asylum seeker sent to Rwanda could be returned. If the government wins, the case may go to the to the Court of Appeal.
In October, a second hearing will take place, to hear similar claims brought by the charity Asylum Aid. The decisions will be announced together.
Legal challenges meant the first Rwanda flight was cancelled shortly before take-off in June
Is Rwanda safe for asylum seekers?Is Rwanda safe for asylum seekers?
The UK government insists Rwanda is a suitable destination, arguing it is a "secure country, with a track record of supporting asylum seekers". The question of its suitability is being considered by the courts.
On Monday, its lawyers told the High Court the process was safe, and asylum seekers would be "provided with suitable accommodation and support". The UK government insists Rwanda is a "secure country, with a track record of supporting asylum seekers".
However, lawyers representing those opposed to the policy told the High Court: "Rwanda is in substance a one-party authoritarian state with extreme levels of surveillance that does not tolerate political opposition." It says asylum seekers sent there would be "provided with suitable accommodation and support".
They said it was a country which "tortures and murders those it considers to be its opponents". But charities, campaign groups and lawyers representing asylum seekers say Rwanda is not a safe destination. They argue that the scheme breaks human rights laws.
The UN Refugee Agency said in court that there is no evidence to support the Home Office's claim that rejected UK asylum seekers would be offered permanent residency in Rwanda. They told the High Court that Rwanda is an "authoritarian state with extreme levels of surveillance". They said it was a country which "tortures and murders those it considers to be its opponents".
It argued people previously refused asylum by the Rwandan government had been sent to unsafe countries such as Syria. Whatever the outcome, it seems likely that the losing side would ask for the the case to be heard by the Court of Appeal.
The court was also told that the UK high commissioner to Rwanda had previously told the government the country shouldn't be used for the policy, warning it had "been accused of recruiting refugees to conduct armed operations in neighbouring countries". Home Secretary Suella Braverman said it was her "dream" to have a Rwanda flight depart before Christmas.
Ministers warned about Rwanda rights, court toldMinisters warned about Rwanda rights, court told
UK ministers partially lose Rwanda secrecy bid
Land of safety - or fear? Why Rwanda divides opinionLand of safety - or fear? Why Rwanda divides opinion
How much will it cost? How much will the plan cost?
The government says the UK's asylum system costs £1.5bn a year, with more than £4.7m a day spent on hotel accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers. Costs would include flights to Rwanda, food, accommodation, access to translators and legal advice. Removing people from the UK by charter flight cost more than £13,000 per person in 2020.
Critics say the daily cost is so high because of the time taken to decide on applications, and a ban on asylum seekers working while waiting for confirmation of their status. When the policy was announced, former Home Office Minister Tom Pursglove said there would be a £120m upfront payment to Rwanda, to be followed by further payments as it handled more cases.
When the policy was announced, former Home Office Minister Tom Pursglove said a £120m upfront payment to Rwanda would be followed by further payments as the country handled more cases.
He said the cost would be "similar to the amount of money we are spending on this currently", and that "longer term, by getting this under control, it should help us to save money".He said the cost would be "similar to the amount of money we are spending on this currently", and that "longer term, by getting this under control, it should help us to save money".
During the judicial review hearings, it emerged that the UK government has agreed to pay the costs for each asylum seeker for the first three years, or five years for asylum seekers who are given refugee status. The UK's asylum system costs £1.5bn a year. More than £4.7m a day is spent on hotel accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers.
These would cover flights to Rwanda, food, accommodation, and access to translators and legal advice. Critics say the daily cost is so high because of the time taken to decide on applications, and a ban on asylum seekers working while waiting for confirmation of their status.
Comparisons have been made to Australia's offshore processing system, which was estimated to cost AUS $957m (£546m) in 2021-22.
Removing people from the UK by charter flight cost more than £13,000 per person in 2020.
Is the scheme stopping people from coming?
The Rwanda policy was first announced by the UK government on 14 April, but there hasn't been any subsequent drop in the numbers attempting to cross the Channel.
More than 27,000 people have made the journey in small boats this year, including more than 2,000 during the first weekend of September.
There were 28,526 crossings in the whole of 2021, and just 8,404 in 2020.
Border Force union officials previously suggested the final 2022 total could be 60,000 - more than double the 2021 tally.
A report by MPs from the Home Affairs Committee suggests that rather than deterring illegal entry to the UK, the policy could be adding to pressure to cross.
It warned of "scaremongering from people traffickers that because of new regulations coming in across the Channel it will be much harder to access the UK in future, so they had better get on with it".