Thousands of Iraqi migrants who came to the UK in small boats might soon be sent back to Iraq under a new agreement the UK government is working on.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet with Iraq’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, in London to discuss this plan. The goal is to create a clear process to return people who came to the UK illegally and to stop criminal gangs that profit from smuggling migrants.
Iraqis are one of the largest groups arriving in the UK on small boats, with over 2,000 crossing the Channel in just one year. But the UK has struggled to deport them—less than 30 people were sent back during the same period. The government wants to fix this issue with a stronger agreement to make returns easier.
Keir Starmer said this meeting is an important step for both countries. He announced a £12.3 billion trade package, which he believes will help both the UK and Iraq. The deal is about more than just trade—it’s about working together on security and improving stability in the region. Starmer said having secure borders is a key part of the government’s plan to bring change. He explained that this new deal would send a strong message: “If you come to the UK illegally, you cannot expect to stay.”
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, had already spoken with Iraqi leaders in November to secure their agreement to take back more of their citizens whose asylum requests are denied in the UK. This new arrangement builds on a previous security agreement between the UK and Iraq. That agreement includes better intelligence-sharing, funding for Iraq’s law enforcement, and measures to strengthen border control.
Starmer said these efforts are making it harder for people smugglers to exploit vulnerable migrants. By targeting these criminal networks, the UK hopes to protect people from being taken advantage of and to bring smugglers to justice.
In summary, the UK is working closely with Iraq to return migrants who came illegally while also improving trade and security cooperation between the two nations. This partnership aims to stop smuggling operations and send a clear message that the UK will no longer tolerate illegal migration.
