A SHADOW minister has slammed the government’s immigration plans to deport migrants to Rwanda as “distressing and unacceptable”.

Under plans announced last month, the government said migrants who arrive in the UK illegally would be deported to the African nation to have their asylum claims processed.

The proposal has been criticised by UN officials, who said it “undermines established international refugee protection law and practices”.

In a letter to Brighton and Hove Amnesty Group seen by The Argus, Hove MP and shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle said the government’s plans will do “next to nothing to stop people making dangerous journeys while risking withdrawing support and putting safety at further risk by sending them elsewhere”.

He said: “The UK has a long history of welcoming and supporting refugees and, as one of the wealthiest nations, we have obligations to those who are less fortunate.

“The British people want and deserve an asylum and immigration system that is fair, compassionate, and orderly, and this offshoring to Rwanda is anything but.

“Just last year the British government condemned Rwanda for its poor record on civil and political rights and freedom, with the UK having previously granted protection to Rwandan refugees fleeing persecution, and now Boris [Johnson] is saying it is one of the safest countries in the world.”

The Argus: A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the ChannelA group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Mr Kyle said that the country needs “real, working solutions” to tackle the issue of refugees taking life-threatening journeys across the Channel.

“I feel strongly that these plans are wholly distressing and unacceptable. Offshoring to Rwanda is a disgraceful plan and one that Labour will continue to fight against,” he said.

The number of migrants who crossed the Channel to the UK so far this year has surpassed 9,000, with 685 people arriving over five days last week.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said the UK has seen over 20,000 people enter the country illegally over the last year, and said the government was committed to “finding new innovative solutions to global problems”.

She insisted the plan was about saving the lives of people taken by smugglers on treacherous journeys to try to reach Britain.

“I’m afraid other organisations and other countries are not coming up with alternatives and the status quo is simply not acceptable any more,” she said.