Tougher immigration laws in the EU could allow the UK to follow the same path, potentially prompting Sir Keir Starmer to “revisit” the Rwanda deportation scheme.
The policy, proposed by Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak, was scrapped last year, shortly after Sir Keir became prime minister.
It would have relocated illegal immigrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing, asylum, and resettlement, as those accepted by the African country would not be allowed to return to the UK.
Despite the scheme being axed, Angela Sharma, specialist immigration barrister at Church Court Chambers, said it could be revisited if the EU successfully implements proposed immigration reforms.
She told the Express: “Last year, the EU was exploring the creation of return hubs — akin to the UK’s former Rwanda scheme.
“The current UK Government terminated the Rwanda scheme in July 2024, deeming this ineffective (after all the money spent and legal challenges faced).
“Instead, my view is that the UK will continue to focus on managing asylum, looking at fast-tracking deportations and tightening borders. I do not see Keir Starmer revisiting the Rwanda scheme unless the EU reforms are implemented successfully.”
The EU is reportedly planning to overhaul the 1951 Refugee Convention, which decrees that asylum seekers cannot be returned to their country if their life or freedom could be at threat.
A paper drafted by Poland and seen by The Times said such legal changes “could also stimulate discussion of the issue internationally”, potentially leading to UK backing.
The law changes would speed up deportations of failed asylum seekers and migrants involved in crime was discussed by EU interior ministers last week.
The 1951 convention, signed after World War II, represents a “very different geopolitical situation” than that of today, the paper said.
Sir Keir recently came under fire for not including immigration reform in his “plan for change”. If this changes, Sharma explained that he may need to negotiate with the EU.
She concluded: “The UK may need to negotiate new agreements with the EU to ensure that failed asylum seekers are returned to the European country they transited through, rather than remaining in the UK.
“This could also lead to closer border security cooperation with EU nations such as France to curb illegal migration. While such cooperation could strengthen UK-EU ties, it would come at a cost.
“While the EU seeks to tighten asylum and appeals processes, the UK must decide whether to align with EU reforms or pursue an independent approach to deportation policies.”
