A flight organized by the British government to deport asylum seekers was due to take off on Wednesday despite last minute court orders to the contrary, local media reported.
The Home Office insisted that up to 20 people who entered the UK on small boats will be sent back to France and Germany.
INDIVIDUALS HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A CASE FOR ASYLUM APPLICATIONS
The asylum seekers, who are from countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Yemen, were detained in the last week of July, and were due to be flown out of the UK at 7:45 a.m. (0645GMT). However, there has been no update on the flight so far.
The Guardian newspaper reported that 19 of the asylum seekers had the removal directions either deferred by the Home Office or stayed by the high court.
The report said some of them thought they would be on the flight but never actually received removal directions from the Home Office. The individuals now have the opportunity to make a more detailed case for their asylum applications in the UK.
The Home Office said they had all been in other European countries – France or Germany – and as such should have their asylum claims heard there under the Dublin Convention, which states that cases of asylum seekers have to be heard in the first safe European country of arrival.
While the Home Office confirmed that the flight was due to take off on Wednesday morning, it did not say how many people would be on board.