Keir Starmer
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Keir Starmer’s Drastic New Law to Crack Down on Illegal Immigration

London, Jan 31, 2025 — The UK government has introduced stringent new counter-terrorism-style legislation aimed at dismantling human trafficking networks responsible for small boat crossings. The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, presented to Members of Parliament today, grants law enforcement unprecedented powers to target and arrest traffickers before dangerous journeys commence.

“Tough new counter-terror-style laws giving police greater powers to target traffickers responsible for small boat crossings have been unveiled,” officials announced. The Bill empowers authorities to seize phones and laptops from new arrivals, a move intended to disrupt communication among smuggling gangs. Additionally, the legislation introduces measures to arrest people smugglers preemptively and imposes prison sentences of up to 14 years for those involved in selling or handling small boat parts, according to the Mirror.

The Bill also criminalizes aggression or intimidation at sea, addressing incidents described by Home Office sources as “floating crime scenes” that have tragically resulted in deaths in the Channel. Preventing rescue offers at sea will carry a five-year sentence, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to saving lives while combating illegal smuggling operations.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the necessity of the new laws, stating, “Over the last six years, criminal smuggling gangs have been allowed to take hold all along our borders, making millions out of small boat crossings. This Bill will equip our law enforcement agencies with the powers they need to stop these vile criminals, disrupting their supply chains and bringing more of those who profit from human misery to justice.”

Cooper further highlighted the enhanced capabilities provided by the Bill: “Keir Starmer, including making it easier to seize mobile phones at the border, along with statutory powers for our new Border Security Command to focus activity across law enforcement agencies and border force will turbocharge efforts to smash the gangs.” She stressed the critical nature of these powers in undermining people smugglers.

The legislation also targets individuals who gather information to assist smuggling operations, such as arranging logistics for journeys, ensuring they face prosecution. Additionally, the Bill imposes five-year sentences for importing items that facilitate serious crimes, including 3D printed firearm templates, pill presses, and vehicle concealments.

Martin Hewitt, the UK’s new Border Security Commander, affirmed the importance of the Bill: “It is vital that government and our law enforcement partners, working together as part of the UK’s border security system, have the right tools to tackle the people smuggling gangs abusing our border. This Bill will do exactly that, by equipping teams on the ground dealing with this issue first hand and empowering them to go further and act faster when dismantling organised criminality.”

Graeme Biggar, Director General of the National Crime Agency (NCA), supported the Bill, stating, “These criminal gangs risk the lives of those they transport in their deadly pursuit of profit, and we remain determined to work with partners in the UK and abroad to do all we can to stop them.”

However, the Bill has faced criticism from human rights organizations. Natasha Tsangarides of Freedom from Torture argued, “This Bill will do nothing to address the root causes of forced displacement. Instead, cracking down on the methods refugees use to escape war and persecution will only make their journeys more dangerous.” Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, also expressed concerns that the new offenses could lead to the prosecution of refugees themselves, potentially resulting in miscarriages of justice.

Despite these criticisms, the government remains steadfast in its approach, aiming to restore order to the asylum system by repealing the controversial Safety of Rwanda Act and enhancing law enforcement’s ability to combat human trafficking effectively.

As the Bill moves through Parliament, it represents a significant shift in the UK’s strategy to tackle human smuggling, balancing increased security measures with ongoing debates about human rights and refugee protections.

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