The UK government has announced a crackdown on illegal migration, including the recruitment of up to 100 new specialist intelligence officers to target and disrupt organized immigration crime networks. These officers will be deployed at the National Crime Agency (NCA) to tackle people smuggling and trafficking, and to prevent dangerous boat crossings.
Key Measures:
Immediate recruitment of up to 100 new specialist intelligence officers to target and disrupt organized immigration crime networks.
Surge in immigration enforcement and returns activity to achieve the highest rate of removals of those with no right to be in the UK since 2018.
The new intelligence-driven illegal working program will target, investigate, and take down unscrupulous employers who illegally employ those with no right to work in the UK.
It increased detention capacity, including 290 beds at Campsfield and Haslar Immigration Removal Centres.
Redeployment of staff to drive the increase in returns.
Goals:
Disrupt and dismantle organized immigration crime networks.
Prevent dangerous boat crossings.
Increase the removal of failed asylum seekers.
Establish a system that is better controlled and managed Context:
The NCA currently has around 70 investigations targeting the highest harmful criminal networks involved in people smuggling and trafficking.
The government has already seen success with nine “successful returns flights” in the last six weeks, including the largest-ever chartered return flight.
