The UK government is poised to implement a new migration strategy that includes offering failed asylum seekers up to £3,000 to voluntarily relocate to Rwanda, amidst increased Cross-Channel migration and legislative challenges. This agreement between the UK and Rwanda, disclosed by The Times, is designed to alleviate the situation of migrants residing in the UK illegally, who are unable to be deported to their home countries due to various constraints.

As part of this ‘voluntary returns scheme’, migrants choosing Rwanda will receive assistance for up to five years, including help with housing and integration into society, along with education, training, and employment opportunities. The UK government has agreed to pay Rwanda £171,000 per migrant under this scheme, in addition to a £370 million aid package previously arranged with Kigali.

This initiative emerges against the backdrop of continuing debates and legislative challenges in the UK. Specifically, the proposed Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill has encountered resistance in the House of Lords. Critics, including MPs and civil servants, have raised concerns about the bill’s compatibility with human rights and international law. MP Sir Bill Wiggin notably argued for prioritizing human lives over the technicalities of human rights laws, amid discussions on the bill.

Additionally, the UK’s FDA union, representing senior civil servants, has warned of potential legal action against the government’s bill, citing concerns about violating international law and the civil service code. This legal and moral quandary underscores the complexity of addressing illegal migration and the safety of refugees and asylum seekers.

The UK government sees this new relocation scheme as an integral part of its broader migration policy, aiming to offer a fresh start to failed asylum seekers while managing the practical and ethical challenges of deportation and international asylum obligations.