Britain plans to send migrants to Rwanda under tougher asylum policy

Britain could send tens of thousands of asylum seekers to the East African country of Rwanda, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday, aiming to break people-smuggling networks and stem the flow of migrants across the Channel.

Concerns over immigration were a big factor in the 2016 Brexit vote, and Johnson has been under pressure to deliver on his promise to "take back control" of Britain's borders.

But his plan drew swift criticism from opponents of his Conservative Party and from charities.

At: https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-johnson-seeks-put-fine-behind-him-with-immigration-plan-2022-04-13/

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a recent visit to a Royal Navy surveillance station.

Johnson's plan to send tens of thousands of asylum seekers to the impoverished African nation of Rwanda drew criticism from among others the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which slammed the Prime Minister for treating refugees as "merchandise."

Even members of his Conservative Party voiced opposition.