The British government says it is ready to explore fresh legal moves in the push to have illegal migrants deported to the East African country, Rwanda.

The next trial will be held next week to persuade judges at the nation’s highest court to overturn a decision that found its disputed proposal to deport asylum seekers who come in small boats across the Channel to Rwanda illegal.

Attorneys for the government will argue before the Supreme Court that this finding was incorrect, while attorneys for refugees from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Vietnam, and Sudan want the court to find that the programme itself is faulty.

The British government last year revealed plans to send thousands of migrants to the East African country as part of a 120 million pound ($148 million) deal to deter asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel from France in small boats.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his ministers contend that the Rwanda initiative, put forth last year by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, would destroy the economic foundation of human traffickers and dissuade people from making the risky crossing of the English Channel in dinghies and small boats. In August, six individuals drowned, while 27 died in November 2021.

Opponents, meanwhile, claim that it is unethical, costly, and ineffective. Human rights organisations, legislators, some of whom are Conservatives, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Anglican Communion, are among them. The British monarch, King Charles is said to have also quietly expressed concerns, according to the media.

Even though the conservative government promised to reduce immigration, overall, net migration has increased, hitting a record high of 606,000 last year. More than 25,000 individuals have entered Britain this year on small boats, while a record-breaking 45,755 were found in 2022. Finding a solution to the issue of illegal immigration is one of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s top concerns.