British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised on Monday to start sending illegal migrants to Rwanda within 10 to 12 weeks as the upper house of parliament passed required legislation.
The legislation has faced two years of legal battles and was earlier ruled illegal by the UK Supreme Court in November last year. However, the recent bill overrides the Supreme Court ruling as well as any future ruling from the UK top court.
Sunak said the government had booked commercial charter planes and trained staff to take illegal migrants to Rwanda. “No ifs, no buts. These flights are going to Rwanda,” Sunak told a news conference earlier on Monday.
“The passing of this landmark legislation is not just a step forward but a fundamental change in the global equation on migration. We introduced the Rwanda Bill to deter vulnerable migrants from making perilous crossings and break the business model of the criminal gangs who exploit them. The passing of this legislation will allow us to do that and make it very clear that if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay,” the PM said in a statement.
