A record 44 Nigerians and Ghanaians were deported from the UK on a single flight on Friday, marking a major increase in immigration enforcement.
The Home Office confirmed the deportations as part of a larger surge in immigration returns, with more than 3,600 individuals deported since the Labour government took power in July.
These efforts have included flights to Brazil, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste, as well as ongoing flights to Albania, Lithuania, and Romania.
This deportation coincides with news regarding the UK’s handling of asylum seekers on Diego Garcia, a remote island in the Indian Ocean.
The UK is finalising a treaty with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands, which could lead to any new asylum seekers on the island being sent to Saint Helena, another remote British territory.
However, around 60 Tamils currently stranded on Diego Garcia since 2021 will not be part of this arrangement, as they await a legal ruling on their detention.
Fizza Qureshi, CEO of the Migrants’ Rights Network, condemned the deportations, criticising the process for its speed, secrecy, and lack of legal support.
She described it as “cruelty,” noting how detainees felt helpless.
In response, a Home Office spokesperson emphasised the government’s commitment to enforcing immigration rules, ensuring that those with no right to remain in the UK are returned swiftly.
