The Home Office has begun issuing formal removal directions to migrants due to be sent to Rwanda, with the first deportation flight due to depart in two weeks on June 14.
The Government described the move as the “final administrative step” in its partnership with the east African nation, whereby people who are deemed to have entered the UK illegally will be encouraged to rebuild their lives thousands of miles away.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Tuesday: “Our world-leading partnership with Rwanda is a key part of our strategy to overhaul the broken asylum system and break the evil people-smugglers' business model.
“Today’s announcement is another critical step towards delivering that partnership and, while we know attempts will now be made to frustrate the process and delay removals, I will not be deterred and remain fully committed to delivering what the British public expect.”
The Home Office said on Tuesday that an initial group of migrants have started to receive formal letters telling them they are being sent to Rwanda to “rebuild their lives in safety”.
In April, the government announced plans to send some UK asylum seekers to Rwanda, saying it intends to break people-smuggling networks and stem the flow of migrants across the Channel.
However it has drawn criticism from both within and outside the Conservative party, as well as from many charities.
UN officials said such a move violates the international Refugee Convention, and human rights groups call the deal - for which the UK has paid Rwanda £120million upfront - unworkable, inhumane and a waste of taxpayers’ money.
