UK migration crackdown results in deportation surge

The government hopes to restore faith in the immigration and asylum system

Images of failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and other immigration offenders being deported from the UK have been released.

The Labour government has said that since it came to office in July, 19,000 people with no right to be in the UK have been returned to Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.

As part of the wider crackdown on illegal migration, some 3,930 people suspected of working without permission have been arrested in 5,424 visits by immigration enforcement officers to premises since July − a 38 per cent increase compared to the previous 12-month period.

The government believes increased deportations and a crackdown on illegal working are both an important part of restoring order in the asylum and immigration system, a politically charged issue in the UK.

Images showed those being deported being led from buses and then waiting to board aircraft to take them back to their home countries.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said as part of the effort to deal with illegal migration, the government put “significant” resources into immigration enforcement and deportations “so those who have no right to be here, particularly those who have committed crimes in our country, are removed as swiftly as possible”.

“To rebuild public confidence in the immigration system, we need to show the rules are respected and enforced,” she said.

The figures represent the highest rate of returns seen in the UK since 2018 and include the four biggest returns by charter flights in the UK’s history, with a total of more than 850 people on board.

Meanwhile, video footage released showed immigration enforcement officers taking away illegal workers across sites including restaurants, nail bars and car washes in January this year.

The UK government says it has put 'significant' resources into immigration enforcement and deportations Photo: UK Home Office

The Home Office also admitted that many of those who risk their lives to come to UK on small boats are doing it after being “sold false promises”.

This drive comes as the government's Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill is set to be debated in the House of Commons in its second reading.

It aims to introduce a raft of new offences and counter terrorism-style powers to crack down on people smugglers bringing migrants across the English Channel.

The measures are expected to come into force as soon as possible once the legislation is approved by MPs and Lords, believed to be this year.

Under the Bill, the Safety of Rwanda Act will be scrapped, formally ditching the multimillion-pound deal to send migrants to the East African state.