KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) – The British government said Sunday it could start deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda in the coming months – but only if the controversial move is declared lawful by a British court.

The Interior Department indicated it was seeking to start flights “before summer” after the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, visited the African country to ratify the conservative government’s commitment to the plan.

In Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, Braverman met with President Paul Kagame and Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, visited accommodation reserved for would-be deportees from Britain, and laid bricks in other migrant housing centres. More than 1,000 houses are expected to be built as part of the project.

“I’m excited to see first-hand the many opportunities this country can provide to displaced people under our agreement,” Braverman said.

Biruta said Rwanda would offer migrants “the opportunity to build a new life in a safe place with accommodation, education and training.”

Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo told reporters her country was ready to accept thousands of immigrants from Britain and emphasized that she did not see living in Rwanda as a “punishment”. He added that Rwanda was determined to make the deal a success.

Britain and Rwanda reached an agreement almost a year ago under which some migrants who arrive on British soil by boat will be brought to Rwanda, where their asylum claims will be processed. Those who receive asylum will be able to stay in Rwanda instead of returning to the UK.

The UK government argues that the policy will break the business model of people-smuggling groups and prevent migrants from making the risky journey across the English Channel.

More than 45,000 people came to the UK by boat in 2022, up from 8,500 in 2020.

But the 140 million pound ($170 million) plan is involved in a lawsuit and none has yet been sent to Rwanda. In December, the High Court ruled that the policy was legal but a group of asylum seekers from countries including Iran, Iraq and Syria were granted permission to appeal.

Human rights groups cite Rwanda’s poor human rights record and argue that it is inhumane to send people more than 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) to a country they don’t want to live in.

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Jill Lawless reporting from London.