UK court rules plan to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful

FILE PHOTO: LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during a press conference following the launch of new legislation on migrant channel crossings at Downing Street on March 7, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful, London’s Court of Appeal ruled on Thursday, in a major setback for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who has pledged to stop migrants arriving across the Channel in small boats.

Under a deal struck last year, Britain's government planned to send tens of thousands of asylum seekers who arrive on its shores more than 4,000 miles (6,400 km) to the East African country.