Today the Home Secretary announced new measures being taken to tackle small boat migrants who illegally enter the country.
The Illegal Migration Bill will empower the government to remove those that enter the UK illegally, and to stop the small boats from crossing the English Channel.
The Bill will introduce a duty on the Home Secretary to detain and remove illegal immigrants to their home country, if it is safe, or to a safe third country like Rwanda.
The measures have been introduced to tackle the current problems of our asylum system. There is currently a backlog of 160,000 asylum applications, and the asylum system is costing the taxpayer £3 billion per year.
Since 2018, 85,000 illegal migrants have entered the country, with a 500% increase in small boat crossings over the last two years. 74% of those entering the country illegally have been adult males under 40 years of age.
Commenting, Caroline said:
“This is long awaited progress on the issue of small boat crossings. It is wrong that people smugglers are able to profit on the vulnerable by sending them on dangerous, life-threatening voyages across the channel.
“Today’s announcement will no doubt send a clear message that this perilous journey is not worth it. If you enter this country illegally, you will be removed back to the country of origin or to a safe third country.
Many constituents contact me on this issue, rightfully concerned about the enormous risk to life and the cost to taxpayers of this uncontrolled flow of illegal migrants.”
The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, said:
“The law-abiding patriotic majority have said ‘enough is enough’. This cannot and will not continue.
“This government must act decisively, must act with determination, must act with compassion, must act with proportion.
“Make no mistake, this Conservative government and Prime Minister will act now to stop the boats.”
