Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address the ongoing issue of illegal migration, as a key component of Labour’s manifesto to disrupt criminal smuggling operations. Upon taking office, Cooper, along with the Prime Minister, decided to abandon the previous government’s controversial Rwanda deportation plan. However, with the number of Channel crossings nearing 20,000 this year alone, the government is taking decisive action to strengthen immigration enforcement and return activities.
The strategy introduced by Cooper includes several critical measures aimed at reinforcing the nation’s borders and enhancing the effectiveness of deportations. A significant aspect of the plan is the recruitment of 100 dedicated intelligence officers and investigators by the National Crime Agency. These officers will specifically target the smuggling gangs responsible for facilitating illegal entries into the UK. Additionally, there will be an increase in detention capacity at Immigration Removal Centres to expedite the deportation process.
A major focus of the new strategy is tackling illegal employment in the UK. The Home Office has emphasized the importance of targeting employers who exploit illegal workers, labeling them as “unscrupulous.” The plan includes the development of a new intelligence-driven program designed to identify, investigate, and penalize those who employ illegal migrants, further discouraging illegal migration.
In her statement, Cooper highlighted the urgency of the situation and the government’s commitment to enforcing border security. She mentioned the rapid recruitment of new staff for the newly established Border Security Command, with additional personnel already deployed across Europe. These teams will collaborate with European enforcement agencies to dismantle the criminal smuggling networks that organize dangerous boat crossings, which pose significant risks to both border security and human lives.
Cooper assured that by enhancing enforcement capabilities and focusing on the returns process, the government aims to establish a well-managed and controlled immigration system. This initiative marks a departure from the chaotic approach that has plagued the system for years, promising a more structured and effective response to illegal migration.