Thousands more migrants can be sent to Rwanda

TENS of thousands of illegal migrants have been warned they could be deported to Rwanda after a breakthrough deal with Kigali.

- Michael Knowles

The Home Office has expanded the size of the cohort which could be ordered on to a one-way flight.

The 2022 deal struck with the Rwanda Government focused on the Channel migrants who crossed after the landmark agreement.

But officials have confirmed failed asylum seekers who arrived before April 2022 are now also eligible for deportation to Kigali.

At least 43,682 migrants crossed the Channel between January 2018 and the end of March 2022, analysis by the Daily Express has revealed.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "Those who have no right to remain in the UK should not be allowed to stay.

"We have a safe third country ready and waiting to accept people, offer them support across the board and help rebuild their lives.

We continue to swiftly detain those in line for removal to ensure we have a steady drumbeat of flights to Rwanda."

TENS of thousands of illegal migrants have been warned they could be deported to Rwanda after a breakthrough deal with Kigali.