LONDON, England: Britain’s High Court has ruled that the government is within its rights to deport illegal immigrants to Rwanda.
The first deportations are expected to begin next week.
High Court Judge Jonathan Swift would not block the scheduled flight to send Iraqi and Syrian asylum seekers to Rwanda on June 14.
“There is a material public interest in the Home Secretary being able to implement immigration decisions,” Swift said.
He further ruled that risks to the deportees in being sent to Rwanda, as claimed by those seeking to block the government, were small and “in the realms of speculation.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said plans to deport migrants would help to put an end to the people-smuggling networks that operate small boats originating in Europe.
Meanwhile, an additional appeal is expected in the High Court before the end of July, which could still block the government’s long-term deportation plans.
“We cannot allow people traffickers to put lives at risk, and our world-leading partnership will help break the business model of these ruthless criminals,” said Johnson.
Among many who oppose the deportations, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, a senior leader in the Church of England, said she felt “deeply ashamed” of the court’s decision.
“It feels inhumane,” she said, according to Reuters.
Initially, some 30 illegal immigrants were to be deported.
Government lawyer Mathew Gullick hs said there was an “important public interest” in deterring illegal immigration.
In 2022, over 28,000 refugees crosses on boats from mainland Europe to Britain. In November, 27 people drowned in the Channel when their rubber raft deflated, while many others have needed to be rescued from the Channel waters.
The government’s plan calls for possible deportation to Rwanda of anyone arriving illegally since January 1.
Officials note that more than 3,500 illegal migrants have arrived in the UK across the Channel since mid-April.
