Britain has accelerated the removal of illegal migrants to the highest level since 2016

The number of removals and returns of foreigners from Great Britain has reached its highest level since 2016. After the 2024 parliamentary elections, more than 80,000 people left the country within migration procedures.

According to the British Home Office, this is 52% more compared to a similar period before the elections.

The total number includes foreigners convicted of crimes, immigration law offenders, and people who stayed in Great Britain without legal grounds.

In particular, 24,471 cases concerned people linked to the asylum procedure. Another 6,103 people arrived in the country on small boats across the English Channel. In addition, 11,733 foreigners convicted of criminal offenses were removed.

British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government intends to continue accelerating the removal of people who do not have the right to remain in the country.

According to her, the authorities are preparing new legislation that should shorten the duration of relevant procedures, and funding for immigration enforcement units is planned to be doubled by 2028.

"We will always welcome those who come here legally and seek to build a better life. But if you arrive illegally or break our laws, we will send you home", - Mahmood stated.

British authorities have recently been consistently tightening migration policy. In particular, in August the government introduced a new target for processing some asylum and immigration appeals within 24 weeks instead of the current average waiting time of about 67 weeks. This is expected to allow faster return of people who have been finally denied the right to remain in the country.

Source: Sky News, Government of Great Britain