RISHI Sunak’s landmark Rwanda plan has finally been signed into law – meaning the first migrants earmarked for removal can be detained.
King Charles’ constitutional approval for the deportation scheme was announced in the House of Lords this morning.
Small boat migrants try to cross the ChannelEPA
It gives legal backing for the PM’s intention to send small boat migrants to Kigali from early July.
Because there is a realistic prospect of deportation to Rwanda, officials can begin the process of detaining the initial tranche of migrants they have identified for removal.
Many will be in taxpayer-funded hotels that are costing around £8million every day to house.
Ministers are braced for lawyers to launch legal challenges against those earmarked for the first flights to Rwanda.
They previously insisted their law – which declares Rwanda a safe country – would force courts to throw out around 95 per cent of all legal claims.
Mr Sunak this week insisted the groundwork has been prepared for a “regular rhythm” of removal flights throughout the summer until the election.
He said an airfield has been secured along with a chartered airline to fly illegal migrants to Kigali.
The PM is under pressure to stop Channel crossings, with numbers up 24 per cent on the same period last year.
Five migrants drowned this week trying to make the perilous journey in rickety dinghies from France.