Controversial UK bill to deport irregular migrants becomes law

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) – The UK’s controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda became law after King Charles approved the bill Tuesday, British media reported.

The Lord Speaker told the upper house of Parliament that the bill, which will now be known as the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024, had received royal assent, according to Sky News.

After months of wrangling between the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the bill to deport irregular migrants to Rwanda passed through Parliament earlier Monday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the first planes with irregular migrants would leave for Rwanda within 10 to 12 weeks.

One of the most controversial migration policies of Sunak’s Conservative government, the Rwanda plan has sparked international criticism and mass protests across the UK.

The law will have to address concerns raised by the UK Supreme Court, which had ruled as unlawful the government's original plan to send asylum seekers to the East African country of Rwanda.

It also compels judges to regard Rwanda as a safe country and gives Cabinet ministers the power to disregard parts of the Human Rights Act.

In January 2023, Sunak said tackling small boats, carrying irregular migrants across the English Channel from France, was among the top five priorities of his government after more than 45,000 people reportedly used the route to enter the UK in 2022.