Sunak Faces Pressure to Exempt Afghan Veterans from Rwanda Deportation Bill or Risk 'Underground' Migrants
Rishi Sunak is under pressure to allow exemptions for Afghans who served with the UK military in the Rwanda deportation bill.
Some Conservative MPs and opposition parties are calling for assurances that these individuals will not be deported to Rwanda if they arrive in the UK.
Home Office staff warn that thousands of people marked for deportation may go "underground" if the law passes.
The UK government, led by Rishi Sunak, is pushing a deportation bill through parliament, which could result in many asylum seekers going into hiding to avoid removal.
Department insiders predict that these migrants may abscond from Home Office accommodation and work in the informal economy.
Charities warn that this could lead to a "serious safeguarding crisis," with asylum seekers at risk of exploitation and even falling back into the hands of trafficking gangs.
The Rwanda legislation, which allows for the relocation of some asylum seekers to Rwanda, has undergone multiple amendments in parliament and faces further rounds of debate, potentially extending into late Monday night.
The UK government is pushing for the passage of a bill related to Afghan veterans' pensions, with the prime minister expressing growing impatience.
The government is reportedly unwilling to make concessions and is considering urging peers not to delay the legislation further.
However, some Tory MPs have expressed discomfort with the refusal to exempt Afghan veterans from the bill.