The UK’s Labour government announced on Thursday that it had removed 16,400 illegal migrants since assuming office in July, representing the highest rate of removals recorded since 2018.
Upon taking office, Prime Minister Keir Starmer ended the previous Conservative government’s controversial policy of deporting illegal migrants to Rwanda. Instead, his administration established a Border Security Command aimed at tackling illegal migration—an issue that remains politically significant in Britain.
The new system prioritizes dismantling criminal gangs involved in human smuggling and focuses on detaining and deporting individuals living in the country illegally.
“Our message to those seeking to enter the UK illegally is straightforward: do not waste your money on these despicable gangs. You will be swiftly returned,” Starmer stated.
As part of its broader anti-smuggling strategy, Britain is also preparing a sanctions regime targeting the leaders of human trafficking networks responsible for smuggling tens of thousands of people into the country annually.
According to government data, over 36,800 people crossed into Britain illegally in 2024, a 25% increase compared to the previous year. Tragically, dozens have lost their lives attempting the perilous journey.
The government reported a 24% year-on-year increase in enforced returns of illegal migrants since Labour took office, including the deportation of 2,580 foreign criminals. Photo by Paul Townley, Wikimedia commons.