Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that the government has already chartered commercial jets, which will be prepared within a few months. This plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda had previously encountered legal obstacles.

The British Parliament's approval of the controversial plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda represents a significant milestone following a prolonged debate between the upper and lower houses. Despite repeated amendments by the House of Lords, the bill cleared its final hurdle, with the House of Commons rejecting two amendments last week. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's announcement that deportation flights would commence in the coming months underscores the government's readiness and determination to proceed with its plans.

Sunak's government introduced the bill in response to a UK Supreme Court ruling that deemed deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda a violation of international law. If passed, the bill would require courts to recognize Rwanda as a safe third country and grant UK lawmakers authority to disregard certain aspects of international and human rights law.

The notion of sending migrants to Rwanda was initially proposed by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2022, but legal challenges have halted any deportation flights. Despite the Conservative Party's repeated promises to reduce migrant numbers, it faces anticipated defeat in the upcoming general election, potentially occurring this year, after holding power for 14 years.

The plan to deport asylum seekers, many of whom are escaping conflict, poverty, and increasingly severe weather conditions, is projected to cost the country £540 million ($665 million) to send just the initial 300 individuals to Rwanda. This initiative has been criticized as a cruel "gimmick" by the charity Care4Calais.

The government's rationale is to deter asylum seekers from seeking refuge in the UK, although its effectiveness remains uncertain. Over 120,000 people have crossed the English Channel illegally since 2018, with dozens losing their lives in the process.

Despite the controversy, Sunak announced on Monday that the government had chartered commercial jets and prepared an airfield for the first deportation flights, which could commence within 10 to 12 weeks.

UN rights experts have raised concerns that airline companies involved in the project could face charges of complicity in violating international law.