Asylum seekers on Rwanda list to have claims processed in UK

Thousands of people left in limbo since plans to deport them to Rwanda were axed will now have their asylum claims processed in the UK, the government confirmed yesterday.

- Diane Taylor

More than 5,000 asylum seekers were on an initial list drawn up by the previous government to be sent to Rwanda under a deal between the two countries.

One of the first acts of the Labour government was to scrap the Rwanda scheme, resulting in many of the 5,700 people the Kigali administration had agreed to accept having their claims processed in the UK asylum system. Some subsequently received decisions on their claims, but it is estimated that thousands have remained in limbo.

While being forcibly removed to Rwanda is no longer an option, they received letters saying that although their asylum claims would be admitted to the UK, "if circumstances change or further information becomes available to us to suggest that inadmissibility action under these or other provisions is in fact appropriate we will notify you accordingly".