UK Judges To Hear Government Appeal On Migrants Deportation Plan

The UK Supreme Court will hear the government's appeal against a verdict that banned its plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The hearing comes as the United Kingdom prepares for an election next year, with migration expected to be a significant topic on the ballot.

Following a challenge to the policy by ten migrants and a charity that assists asylum seekers, three Court of Appeal judges concluded in June that Rwanda could not be designated a safe third nation.

The issue is crucial for Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose commitment to "stop the boats" was one of his five pre-election promises in January.

His government has also established rules prohibiting anyone entering by small boat from requesting refuge.

Since Britain began publicly tracking arrivals in tiny boats from France to southeast England in 2018, more than 100,000 migrants have crossed the Channel.

So far this year, some 24,000 migrants have made the trip in frail and unsuitable craft, with arrivals peaking during summer when sea conditions are calmer.

Tackling refugee applications has been a political challenge for Sunak's government in London, which promised to "take back control" of the country's borders when the UK exited the European Union.

The main opposition Labour Party in Britain, which is leading in polls ahead of a general election next year, said on Sunday that if the Rwanda proposal is approved, it will abandon it.

Even if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the government, Party Leader Keir Starmer said his party would not continue the "hugely expensive" and "wrong" program.