The UK government finally passes bill to send migrants to Rwanda. What took so long?

LONDON (AP) — The British Parliament has finally passed legislation to send some migrants to Rwanda, clearing the runway for flights this summer under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ’s controversial plan aimed at deterring risky English Channel crossings by people desperate to reach the U.K.

A bill designed to unblock a plan beset by court challenges and legislative battles was approved early Tuesday, delivering what Sunak hopes will be a much-needed political victory and fulfill his pledge to “stop the boats.”

Human rights activists and migrants’ groups have vowed to continue the fight against the policy, which they say is unethical and inhumane.

Here’s a look at the plan and what it took to reach this stage.

WHAT IS THE RWANDA PLAN?

The Rwanda plan is the British government’s response to the growing number of migrants from around the world — reaching a high of 46,000 in 2022 — who cross the English Channel from France to Britain in small boats.