UK defends itself against illegal immigrants from Albania
The UK Home Office reports that the UK government is launching an ad campaign aimed at deterring Albanian nationals from crossing the English Channel illegally. The decision is related to the growing number of migrants to the UK.
The Home Office, which deals directly with illegal migration, has distributed warning posters aimed at deterring illegal Channel crossings to the UK with the message that people "face being detained and removed" if they make the journey. The campaign will also include adverts in English and Albanian on Facebook and Instagram.
Migration to the British Isles reached 606,000 in 2022, which is 164,000 more than in 2021. Among them were 114,000 Ukrainians who arrived in the UK after the Russian Federation, led by dictator Putin, launched a brutal war against Ukraine.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recognizes that these numbers are too high and aims to reduce them. The current British Prime Minister has identified the fight against illegal migration as a priority.
"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 peddled by evil people-smugglers who profit from this vile trade," said Immigration minister Robert Jenrick.
Albanian nationals were the leaders among those seeking asylum in the UK up to March 2023. A total of 13,714 applications were filed by Albanian nationals, 9,487 of which were submitted by people who crossed the English Channel in small boats.
Currently, the opposition Labor Party has blocked this initiative.
"It beggars belief that as Channel crossings continue to rise and the asylum system is in chaos, all the Conservatives can come up with to stop the criminal gangs is an ad campaign,” stated Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Nevertheless, the new prime minister's policies aimed at deterring migration are expected to halt the growth in numbers. For example, foreign students will no longer be able to bring dependents or obtain work visas until they graduate in the UK.
Experts say that a realistic goal is to bring the number of migrants in the UK down to 500,000 by early 2024.