UK Home Secretary James Cleverly visits Rwanda to try to unblock controversial asylum plan
Associated PressDec 05, 2023
The Facts
UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has resigned over concerns about the efficacy of current efforts to cut illegal migration to Britain. This comes amid intensified Conservative party infighting over an emergency bill passed Wednesday, designed to enable deportation flights to Rwanda — which have faced a multitude of legal challenges — to take place.
Jenrick's resignation letter warned that, despite efforts made in the "Safety of Rwanda" bill to address human rights concerns and subvert additional legal challenges, the policy "does not go far enough."
The Spin
Right narrative
Deportations to Rwanda will discourage migrants from illegally entering the UK, and will help disrupt the human trafficking business models currently kept afloat by the prevalence of illicit channel crossings into Britain. The UK has far too much illegal migration and radical action must be taken to put a stop to this.
Left narrative
The Rwanda plan is not only immoral, but will likely be an ineffective waste of money too. Individuals will continue trying to migrate to the UK no matter what programs are in place, and this policy's funding would be better spent at home than abroad. Additionally, Rwanda has a shady track record with human rights — sending any vulnerable migrants to the country would be reckless and wrong.