Asylum seekers in Southampton are now fearful for their future after a shock Rwanda announcement.

On Monday, the Home Office launched a major operation to detain asylum seekers across the UK in preparation for their deportation to Rwanda.

The news comes weeks earlier than anticipated and has shaken the community in Southampton.

Nikki Walters, chair of refugee support charity Southampton Action, said people are now distressed at the thought of being whisked away during routine meetings at immigration service offices.

She said: “A lot of them are very frightened after the announcement that the Home Office was going to start rounding people up – the news has spread far and wide.

“A lot of people we work with have significant trauma, whether that is personal or is what their hometown has been through.

“This decision is adding another layer of trauma to the issues they are already experiencing.

“A lot of them are in the city on their own, and a lot of them are worried that if they are detained, there won’t be anyone outside worried about where they are.

“They should know that there are people – somebody is outside for them.”

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According to Nikki, there are between 200 and 300 asylum seekers currently residing in the city.

But their fate remains uncertain at this time.

Nikki said: “As a small Southampton charity, we may not be able to stop what this, but we want to help the refugees in the city understand what is happening.

“The worst thing the people we help can do is dwell on what could happen. The number of refugees we have in Southampton is quite small compared to other places, so we may not have anyone from the group detained.

“The fact the bill has passed, and the UN said the UK is not taking its responsibility seriously, speaks volumes.”