UK Government Unveils New Measures to Tackle Illegal Asylum Seekers Arriving by Boat

On Wednesday, the British government unveiled new measures to address the rising number of asylum seekers arriving illegally via small boats from France, Arab News reported yesterday.

The initiative includes recruiting 100 specialist officers for the National Crime Agency (NCA) to combat smuggling gangs responsible for these perilous crossings. The government aims to achieve the highest deportation rate of failed asylum seekers in five years within the next six months.

Following a significant electoral victory on July 4, the Labour government plans to enhance detention capacities and penalize employers hiring undocumented workers. Interior Minister Yvette Cooper emphasized their commitment to strengthening border security.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has abandoned the previous government’s controversial Rwanda deportation scheme, focusing instead on dismantling people-smuggling networks. More than 200 migrants crossed the Channel in just one day, bringing the total for 2024 to 19,294—a 10% increase from last year. The NCA is currently investigating around 70 trafficking networks, while the government increases removal center capacity by adding 290 beds.