Big Trouble for Illegal Migrants: UK Unveils Plan to Tackle Boat Smugglers Bringing Migrants into the Country

Foreign Secretary David Lammy is set to reveal new plans today (Thursday) to seize millions of pounds in assets from smuggling gangs. The UK will become the first country to introduce a dedicated sanctions system to target organized migration crime.

Under this plan, people and businesses suspected of involvement in human trafficking will have their UK assets frozen. The system is modeled after sanctions placed on Russian oligarchs following the Ukraine invasion. Once a person or group is sanctioned, anyone in the UK working with them will also face penalties. The government aims to implement the new rules by the end of the year.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government is determined to stop small boat crossings by cracking down on the criminal networks behind them. He emphasized the importance of disrupting smugglers’ financial operations to secure the UK’s borders.

David Lammy said addressing irregular migration must be a priority for the Foreign Office. He highlighted the link between foreign and domestic challenges and expressed pride in the UK being the first to develop specific sanctions targeting migration crime.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added that the new measures aim to disrupt the financial operations of those profiting from smuggling and putting lives at risk.