Donald Trump could send migrants to £700m Rwanda hotels paid by Britain after Keir Starmer scrapped plan
Donald Trump is set to use accommodation paid for by British taxpayers in Rwanda to house migrants deported from the United States.The Rwandan government will discuss housing those removed from America in facilities built by the UK as part of a possible deportation deal.According to the Telegraph, when asked if British facilities would be used for the American scheme, a top Rwandan government official said: "Those are details that will be discussed at an appropriate time."The agreement would mean Rwanda joining the list of "third countries" where Trump's administration sends deportees.Flights to Rwanda were scrapped when Sir Keir Starmer was electedPAAccording to a diplomatic cable revealed last week, Rwanda has already received US deportees, including one Iraqi national who was sent to the African country under existing arrangements.Sir Keir Starmer scrapped the Rwanda deportation plan when he came into power last July.The UK spent £700 million on the now-cancelled Rwanda scheme, with only four migrants ever sent to the African state, all voluntarily.This substantial sum included £290 million in direct payments to Rwanda.Additional costs covered chartered flights that never departed, detention and subsequent release of hundreds of people, and salaries for more than 1,000 civil servants working on the scheme.After taking office, the Labour government cancelled the Rwanda scheme, diverting the money to fund a new Border Security Command.This new initiative is designed to use counter-terror style powers to target people-smuggling gangs.Chris Philp, shadow home secretary, told The Telegraph: "By cancelling our Rwanda scheme before it started, Sir Keir Starmer has left our borders undefended and with no deterrent.The Trump administration is considering sending migrants to RwandaREUTERS"In 2025, he has so far presided over the highest number of illegal migrants crossing the Channel ever."If it turns out the USA is using the hotels we paid for, that will simply underline Starmer's stupidity."The former home secretary, Suella Braverman, said: "Labour’s decision to scrap the Rwanda deterrent was scandalous."The Rwanda deal would have stopped the boats, secured our borders, and kept our country safe."Thanks to Labour's surrender, the US will now benefit while the British people continue to suffer... while the number of illegal arrivals into the US plummets, it soars in the UK."
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