‘Passing of this legislation will … make it very clear that if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay’: according to UK Premier Sunak

The British government’s Rwanda Bill will become law after it passed through parliament, paving the way for deportation of asylum seekers to the East African country.

After the passing of the bill late Monday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said early Tuesday that their focus is now to “get flights off the ground.”

“I am clear that nothing will stand in our way of doing that and saving lives,” Sunak said in a statement as the controversial deportation plan passed Monday night when the Lords dropped their opposition.

He recalled that they introduced the Rwanda Bill to deter vulnerable migrants from “making perilous crossings and break the business model of the criminal gangs who exploit them.”

“The passing of this legislation will allow them to do that and make it very clear that if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay,” added Sunak.

House of Lords have been pushing back the bill with several amendments to the bill which seeks to deport asylum seekers arriving in the UK via small boats to Rwanda.

However, it will soon become law after both MPs and peers have agreed to the plan although lawmakers late Monday voted against amendments to the Safety of Rwanda Bill earlier.

Earlier on Monday, ahead of the vote in the Commons, Sunak said his government is pressing ahead with plans to deport individuals to Rwanda, with the first flights expected to depart in 10-12 weeks.