UK Plans to Criminalize Promoting Illegal Migrant Crossings

DID Press: British government is advancing new legislation that will make it a criminal offence to promote or advertise illegal routes for asylum seekers to enter the United Kingdom, including via small boat crossings.

The draft bill, currently under parliamentary review, proposes prison sentences of up to five years for individuals found guilty of encouraging unlawful migration.

The Home Office said the measures aim to disrupt organised criminal groups that profit from smuggling people into the UK.

While assisting illegal entry is already a crime under existing law, the proposed legislation would expand the powers available to security agencies and law enforcement.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is facing mounting pressure to reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel, a route frequently used by asylum seekers attempting to reach Britain from northern France.

More than 25,000 people have arrived via this route since the start of the year, according to official figures.

The Channel remains one of the busiest and most dangerous migration routes into the UK.

Authorities say the new legal powers are intended to deter further crossings and reduce reliance on irregular migration networks