Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill will become law after weeks of parliamentary wrangling between the House of Commons and House of Lords.
The plan to send some asylum seekers to Africa passed on Monday (April 22) after the Lords dropped their opposition.
The Government’s victory came shortly after midnight, with Mr Sunak hailing the passing of his flagship legislation.
He said it was “not just a step forward but a fundamental change in the global equation on migration”.
He explained: “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.”
He continued: “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.
“Our focus is to now get flights off the ground, and I am clear that nothing will stand in our way of doing that and saving lives.”
Home Secretary James Cleverly added that today is a “landmark moment in our plan to stop the boats”.
He promised that the Safety of Rwanda Bill would gain Royal Assent, and become law, “in days”.
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Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the Rwanda plan as an “extortionately expensive gimmick”.
Human rights groups have also slammed the plans, with charities describing it as a “breach of international law”.
A document seen by the Express on Monday, April 22, revealed that flights have been booked to take off in June, and charter plans have been put on standby to remove illegal immigrants to Rwanda. Mr Sunak promised: “No ifs, no buts, these flights are going”.
More than 5,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year.
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