UK Offers £3,000 to Rejected Asylum Seekers to Move to Rwanda

In a bid to tackle irregular migration, the United Kingdom has introduced a new scheme offering rejected asylum seekers £3,000 ($3,800) to relocate to Rwanda, according to local reports.

While the UK already has a program in place to assist failed asylum seekers in returning to their home countries, this new initiative specifically targets individuals who are unable to return to their countries of origin.

The cash incentive, part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's broader strategy to address irregular migration, is intended to provide an alternative option for those facing deportation to Rwanda. However, this plan has faced legal challenges, with courts expressing concerns about the safety of deportees in the East African nation.

To address these concerns, the UK government has proposed legislation to designate Rwanda as a "safe" country. However, this legislation encountered obstacles in the House of Lords, where five amendments were passed last week. If ratified, these amendments would make it more difficult for the government to declare Rwanda as safe and would require compliance with domestic and international law.

Despite setbacks, Prime Minister Sunak remains committed to the plan, which has already seen significant financial investment. Kigali has received $300 million from London in exchange for accepting deportees under the agreement reached in April 2022.

However, despite these efforts, no deportation flights have occurred, due in part to legal challenges and international criticism.

Prime Minister Sunak has reaffirmed his determination to move forward with the plan, despite ongoing obstacles and opposition.