BRITAIN’S deal to send illegal migrants to Rwanda will become a global model, Priti Patel said yesterday.
The Home Secretary batted away left-wing protests to insist the landmark policy will prevent thousands dying at the hands of people-smugglers profiting from the Channel crossings.
She predicted other countries will copy the £120million plan.
The first migrants are expected to be flown to Rwanda by next month.
Under the scheme, those arriving in the UK on small boats who do not have a genuine asylum claim will be flown 4,000 miles to the African nation.
Ministers hope it will deter others from making the perilous journey across the Channel.
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It came as a poll found 32 per cent of Brits back the scheme, while 26 per cent do not.
Ms Patel insisted it will “be used as a blueprint”.
She said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if other countries start coming to us.”
She claimed politicians across Europe were keen to explore similar deals.
Ms Patel added: “We cannot accept the status quo or frankly we will see more people die.
The Government acted after being warned more than 65,000 migrants could arrive on UK shores this year.
Campaigners have slammed the announcement and the UN refugee agency has warned it would breach international law.
Ms Patel even had to overrule her own civil servants to force through the radical policy.
