April 30th 2024.
Last week, a bill was passed into law that has stirred up quite a bit of controversy. The bill, known as the Rwanda bill, has caused quite a stir after a heated debate between the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Despite the backlash and criticism, the bill still managed to become law, much to the dismay of many.
As part of this new law, the UK government has sent its first asylum seeker to Rwanda, but with a twist. The government actually paid the individual £3,000 to voluntarily return to their home country. This comes after the prime minister's promise that flights to Rwanda would begin within 10 to 12 weeks, which has missed its original target of spring.
According to reports from The Sun, the individual in question is of African origin and had previously sought asylum in the UK. However, their request was denied at the end of last year, and they have now accepted the offer to return to Rwanda. This voluntary return is part of a separate scheme, not to be confused with the Safety of Rwanda Act. This scheme is specifically for those who have gone through the asylum process and have had their request rejected, rather than those who have illegally entered the UK by crossing the Channel on small boats.
The individual left the UK on Monday, and while they may be returning to their home country, the British taxpayers will foot the bill of £3,000 for their return. This has caused quite a stir, with many questioning the government's motives and the effectiveness of this scheme.
Some believe that this deal with Rwanda will not deter asylum seekers from attempting to enter the UK illegally. In fact, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has criticized the news, stating that the Tories are willing to do anything to get flights off to Rwanda before the local elections. She also pointed out that the British taxpayers are not only paying for the individual's return but also providing free board and lodgings for the next five years in Rwanda. This, she claims, is nothing more than an expensive pre-election gimmick that could cost up to £2 million per person.
Even Nigel Farage has spoken out against this move, calling it a "government spin" and warning people not to be fooled by it. He argues that this one individual, who did not even cross the Channel, was refused asylum and has now voluntarily accepted the £3,000 and free board from the UK government. He believes that this will not be an effective way to stop illegal boat crossings.
It seems that this Rwanda deal has caused quite a stir and continues to be a hot topic of debate. Only time will tell if it will have any real impact on the issue of illegal immigration.
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