UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick Resigns Over Rwanda Asylum Legislation (Image: X @RobertJenrick)

UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick announced his resignation from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet, citing “strong disagreements” with the UK government over the Rwanda policy. Robert Jenrick resigned on Wednesday, saying the government”s Rwanda legislation “does not go far enough.”

The Rwanda plan, which was announced in April 2022 by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson, is designed to deter asylum seekers from making the dangerous journey of about 20 miles across the English Channel from Europe in small boats or dinghies. Reuters reported that a record 45,775 people were detected arriving without permission in Britain in this way in 2022. With the Rwanda policy, the British government intended to deport such people to Rwanda for an assessment of their claims. However, the legislation has faced legal challenges since it was announced.

It is with great sadness that I have written to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as Minister for Immigration.

I cannot continue in my position when I have such strong disagreements with the direction of the Government’s policy on immigration. pic.twitter.com/Zg3ezFJr8t

— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) December 6, 2023

Robert Jenrick, who was seen as a Rishi Sunak ally until recently, shared the resignation letter on his X handle on December 7. “It is with great sadness that I have written to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as Minister for Immigration,” wrote the Conservative MP. Robert Jenrick also added that he cannot continue in his position when he has strong disagreements with the direction of the British government’s policy on immigration.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responded to Robert Jenrick”s resignation by saying he was disappointed. Rishi Sunak also said that Jenrick”s reasoning to quit the post was “based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation.” Recently, the Rishi Sunak-led government suffered a huge blow as the UK Supreme Court rejected the government’s plans to deport people to Rwanda. On Wednesday, the UK government published emergency legislation to overcome the block by the UK Supreme Court on its Rwanda policy. This strongly indicates that the Rishi Sunak-led government is moving forward with its plans to send asylum-seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda.