Immigration minister Robert Jenrick heads to Mediterranean to debate unlawful migration
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick is visiting Mediterranean international locations this week as a part of a authorities give attention to tackling unlawful migration.
He might be visiting Algeria, Tunisia and Italy, earlier than heading to France.
The Times stories the Italian authorities is anticipating 400,000 individuals to enter the nation from North Africa this yr – in forecasts ready for right-wing chief Giorgia Meloni’s first full yr in workplace as prime minister.
Mr Jenrick, who works beneath Home Secretary Suella Braverman, will meet ministers and officers.
According to the Home Office, he’ll “receive threat briefings to inform the UK’s approach to preventing illegal migration”.
The journey comes as the federal government launches an advertising campaign in Albania to warn individuals they face being detained and deported in the event that they try to return to the UK.
With the climate enhancing, the quantity trying the crossing is anticipated to extend.
The Conservatives – and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – have made tackling unlawful migration a precedence after report numbers crossed the Channel in small boats in 2022.
At least 45,728 made the journey final yr – and seven,297 to this point in 2023, in line with official figures.
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The quantity arriving within the UK on small boats by month. Pic: Home Office
Mr Jenrick mentioned: “Organised immigration crime is a global challenge which requires international solutions the whole way along the migration route.
“That consists of working proactively at supply earlier than individuals set off on harmful and pointless journeys.
“We are determined to stop the boats and the campaign, launching in Albania this week, is just one component of the Home Office’s work upstream to help dispel myths about illegal travel to the UK, explain the realities, and combat the lies pedalled by evil people-smugglers who profit from this vile trade.”
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This week’s motion additionally follows plans to clamp down on authorized immigration by stopping family of international students from with the ability to stay within the UK.
Figures final week confirmed web authorized migration within the earlier yr was 606,000 – a record high.
However, it included a considerable portion of that determine arrived from Hong Kong and Ukraine as a part of particular humanitarian visa schemes.