Failed asylum seeker given £3,000 to go to Rwanda

An initial asylum seeker who was unsuccessful in their claim has participated in the voluntary removals program to Rwanda, sources indicate.

Announced last month, this initiative offers migrants whose asylum claims have been rejected up to £3,000 to relocate to Rwanda, distinct from the government’s forced returns scheme initiated two years ago, which has faced significant delays and is anticipated to commence by mid-July.

Reported initially by The Sun, the unnamed individual departed the UK on Monday via a commercial flight. While officials have refrained from divulging specific details, they confirmed that the individual in question had exhausted all avenues to remain in the UK.

The Rwandan government corroborated reports of a failed asylum seeker arriving from London on Tuesday.

Opposition parties, notably Labour, have criticized the timing of the voluntary removal, insinuating that the government rushed the flight before England’s local elections on Thursday.

The program, introduced in March, is believed to be a modified version of an existing voluntary returns initiative for unsuccessful asylum seekers. It is designed to cater not only to failed asylum seekers but also to others with no lawful right to stay in the UK, including foreign criminals.

Under this scheme, the Home Office stipulates that funds may cover temporary accommodation, educational expenses, or the establishment of a business in the destination country.

Responding to critiques about the £3,000 relocation payment, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch argued that securing borders comes with costs and underscored that there are no “cost-free options.”

Official data reveals that 19,253 individuals lacking the right to remain in the UK voluntarily left the country last year, with 3,319 benefiting from reintegration assistance or Home Office-funded flights.

However, Jacqueline McKenzie, partner and head of immigration at Leigh Day solicitors, noted that despite increased interest in the Rwanda program, participation remains relatively low, suggesting potential doubts about its efficacy.

Opposition figures like Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper labeled the voluntary return a “pre-election gimmick,” condemning the expenditure of taxpayer funds to incentivize volunteers.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey echoed skepticism, arguing that the scheme’s high cost does not guarantee success in preventing further migration attempts.

The voluntary removal comes amid ongoing preparations for Rwanda to accept approximately 5,700 asylum seekers as part of the government’s forced returns scheme, aimed at dissuading migrants from crossing the English Channel via small boats. Despite legal hurdles, the program is slated to commence this summer following legislative adjustments.

While Downing Street has expressed confidence in tracking the whereabouts of asylum seekers involved, a government source acknowledged the potential for some individuals to abscond before their detention.