Home Office targetting male migrants with no family for first deportation ... trends now
What is the Rwanda scheme?
Ministers believe the prospect of being sent to Rwanda will deter illegal migrants from crossing the Channel.
The Government is gambling that the first flights to East Africa will have a stark impact on Channel arrivals, and demonstrate to voters that the problem is finally in hand.
The Government said that any asylum seeker attempting to enter the UK 'illegally' from a safe country, could be sent to Rwanda and have their claims processed there.
Is it ready to launch?
The Rwanda policy is ready to launch and detentions have begun today. Operational teams within the Home Office have been working at pace to safely and swiftly detain individuals in scope for relocation to Rwanda. More activity is due to be carried out in the coming weeks.
Last month sources said 100 to 150 migrants had already been identified for the first tranche of removals.
Who will be sent to Rwanda?
Under two recent Acts of Parliament the Government has powers to disregard asylum applications from those who arrive in the UK by 'irregular' routes such as by small boat.
Measures have also been taken to severely restrict migrants' access to legal appeals. However, some limited appeal rights are retained.
It said the country has a strong and successful track record in resettling people, hosting more than 135,000
