In his first decision, Starmer stops the plan to deport refugees to Rwanda

On his first day in office, newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stopped the plan to deport migrants who arrived in the UK illegally to Rwanda, which former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak succeeded in approving on April 23.

The British newspaper "The Telegraph" reported, quoting Labour Party officials, that the Conservative Party's plan to deport immigrants who arrive in the United Kingdom illegally to Rwanda is effectively "dead."

The newspaper expected that illegal immigration would be one of the main priorities of the new government, after it was among the main issues in the election campaign. Starmer is under pressure, amid expectations of a summer that will witness the crossing of small boats.

New Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said Friday that one of the government's first duties was to "keep our borders safe" and said she would prioritise the creation of a new Border Security Command in her early meetings with officials.

The Rwanda plan was first announced during the premiership of Boris Johnson and then Liz Truss. On April 23, former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak successfully passed the Rwanda deportation bill.

Parliament approved the bill after it had been stuck for months between the House of Lords and the House of Commons, before the Lords eventually agreed not to make any further changes to the text, allowing it to be passed, and it will come into effect as soon as the King assents to it.

Human rights activists have criticised the plan as "illegal and inhumane", while migrant advocates have vowed to continue opposing the measure.

No refugees have been deported to Rwanda under the agreement, except for two failed asylum seekers who went to Rwanda voluntarily under a separate agreement and were given £3,000 to go, according to the Telegraph.