LONDON (AP) - The British government has announced stringent measures aimed at curbing the advertisement of fake passports and people-smuggling services on social media. Individuals who engage in such advertisements face potential prison sentences of up to five years. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to deter migrants from attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats.
On Sunday, the government confirmed that anyone found guilty of creating online content aimed at violating U.K. immigration law would face severe penalties, including lengthy prison terms and hefty fines. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that targeting these activities is essential to disrupt the operations of smuggling gangs that exploit vulnerable individuals.
Cooper condemned the commercialization of false promises regarding safe journeys to the U.K., stating, “Selling the false promise of a safe journey to the U.K. and a life in this country - whether on or offline - simply to make money is nothing short of immoral.”
While assisting illegal immigration is already classified as a crime, the new offense outlined in the ongoing border security bill, currently being debated in Parliament, seeks to enhance law enforcement's ability to combat smuggling organizations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has characterized these criminal networks as a significant threat to global security, advocating for their treatment similar to that of terrorist groups.
Since taking office a year ago, Starmer's center-left Labour Party government has implemented various measures to strengthen border security. These include initiatives to confiscate the assets of human traffickers, improve border surveillance in the U.K., and enhance collaboration with France and other neighboring countries to disrupt smuggling attempts.
However, despite these efforts, over 25,000 migrants have successfully reached Britain by boat this year, reflecting a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The issue of small boat crossings has emerged as a highly contentious political topic, particularly highlighted by the stark images of overcrowded, leaky inflatable boats used by smugglers on the French coast.
Opposition parties have criticized the government's approach, suggesting it has not yielded effective results. The ruling government, however, attributes the current challenges to the accumulation of issues over the past 14 years during Conservative Party rule.
In response to Starmer's policy changes, the Conservatives have criticized the abandonment of the previous government's controversial, high-cost plan, which aimed to deport migrants arriving by boat to Rwanda. Chris Philp, a spokesperson for Conservative immigration, denounced the current measures as desperate attempts to appear tough in response to perceived inaction in recent months.
The government has acknowledged the lengthy backlog of asylum applications that has resulted in thousands of migrants being housed in temporary accommodations, predominantly hotels, where they lack the right to work. These hotels have increasingly become points of tension and protest, driven by a blend of community concerns, misinformation, and anti-immigrant sentiment.
