James Cleverly is the latest in a string of UK home secretaries to visit Rwanda in an attempt to tackle illegal immigration. The notion was first suggested by Priti Patel in April of last year, and Suella Braverman has also undertaken the trip. Despite the visits, the plan has yet to come to fruition, and so Cleverly has instead signed an agreement that aims to bring the proposal to life. This marks the third time that a home secretary has visited Rwanda, with each visit seeming to end with little more than a photo opportunity.
The proposal is hoped to provide a new solution to the illegal immigration problem, which the UK government acknowledges to be a significant issue. However, it is uncertain how many people Rwanda would be willing to accept if the plan is successful, and how much of a deterrent effect it will have remains to be seen. Labour views the initiative as a waste of time, while the Conservative government views it as a crucial part of its plan to combat current immigration issues.
The principle behind the proposal is to encourage a decrease in illegal immigration by shifting the focus to Rwanda. This would have the additional benefit of avoiding the costly court cases that frequently occur. With this signing, the UK is hoping to put the wheels in motion to make this initiative permanent, finally taking a step towards fulfilling the original plan.
As the new law on the proposed treaty is formed, it is being closely monitored by the opposition Labour party, who would be presented with the issue if they win the upcoming election. There is some skepticism over how much of an effect the agreement will have, with ministers insisting that it is worth the effort. The plans are currently being heavily scrutinized, and the details will be revealed in due course
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