The United Kingdom’s Home Office has introduced a new law permitting security officials to seize mobile phones and sim cards from migrants without arresting them.
According to the National Crime Agency, the new law, which
took effect on Monday, could help the UK government gather intelligence on
smuggling gangs organising small boat crossings.
The powers stem from the Border Security, Asylum and
Immigration Act, which became law in December 2025 under the labour government.
“We promised to restore order and control to our borders,
which means taking on the people smuggling networks behind this deadly trade,”
Alex Norris, border security minister, said.
“That is exactly why we are implementing robust new laws
with powerful offences to intercept, disrupt and dismantle these vile gangs
faster than ever before and cut off their supply chains.”
During the search for phones and sim cards, officials will
be allowed to look inside the coats and mouths of detainees for hidden
technology.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would step up
his bid to ease the migration crisis and ordered the Home Office to close
asylum hotels before the current 2029 deadline.
A total of 41,472 migrants arrived in the UK in 2025 after
crossing the Channel – the second highest annual figure on record.
The yearly total was 13 percent higher than the figure for
2024, when 36,816 migrants made the journey, and 41 percent higher than 2023’s
total of 29,437.
The figure was also nine percent below the all-time high of
45,774 in 2022.
Migration has formed an integral part of UK policies, shaping election campaigns and redrawing party lines.
Last year, the debate re-emerged after Reform UK, fast
rising opposition party, criticised rising Channel crossings and gained
popularity among citizens.
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