More than 30,000 illegal migrants set for deportation to Rwanda released on bail

MORE than 30,000 illegal migrants earmarked for deportation to Rwanda have been freed on bail despite fears that they could abscond, the Home Office disclosed yesterday.

The 33,085 migrants arrived in the UK illegally on small boats after the Government’s new Illegal Migration Act came into force last July barring them from claiming asylum in the UK.

The Act deems any asylum claim inadmissible and gives ministers powers to deport migrants to a safe third country such as Rwanda or their home nation, provided they would not face persecution or torture there.

However, Dan Hobbs, the Home Office’s director general for migration and borders, told MPS that the “vast majority” had been bailed because there was no safe country to which they could be returned as deportation flights to Rwanda have yet to get off the ground.

Under current legislation, the Home Office cannot detain migrants unless there is a realistic prospect of removal from the UK within a reasonable period of time or they have a criminal record.

Mr Hobbs told MPS on the home affairs committee many would be housed in asylum accommodation including hotels – where they would be free to come and go – but would be expected to report to immigration and asylum officials. The reporting regime for each of the migrants would depend on individual circumstances and could be face to face, by telephone or electronically via email.

It follows the disclosure that nearly 6,000 asylum seekers have gone missing after having their applications withdrawn in the 12 months to September last year. Their claims were withdrawn after they failed to attend appointments or respond to letters from the Home Office.

Former minister Tim Loughton, a Conservative member of the committee, said he was concerned that there was a “fairly strong possibility” that a “large number” of the 33,000 could be “missing.”