LOC17:39
14:39 GMT
LONDON, June 1 (KUNA) -- British Minister of Interior, Priti Patel, announced Wednesday that asylum seekers who arrived in the United Kingdom without authorization had been sent formal notices by the Home Office advising they will be relocated to the east African country of Rwanda.
Patel affirmed in a press conference that the first deportation flight to Rwanda carrying is scheduled to leave on June 14, two months after signing a deal with the African nation to receive immigrants and asylum seekers to Britain.
Patel clarified that the decision aims to curb the illegal flow of immigration, which she described as dangerous and unjustified, especially immigrants who cross the English Channel on rubber boats.
Patel added that those leaving for Rwanda will be provided with generous support including career training and education for a duration of five years, as well as residence and health care, indicating that the agreement stipulates that Britain will be investing GBP 120 million (approx. USD 151 million) in Rwanda's local development projects.
Last April, British Premier Boris Johnson stated that the agreement with the Rwandan government is not limited to a certain number of people, especially concerning asylum seekers who arrive alone and without families.
Johnson stressed that the country of Rwanda has the capacity to receive tens of thousands of asylum seekers and will be materially aided on the part of the British government as it specified a sum of half a billion pounds (approx. USD 629 million) to review the system of asylum and relocating illegal immigrants. (end)
mrn.aai