PM: New law will ‘send clear signal’ to illegal migrants

Rishi Sunak has written an opinion piece for the Sun newspaper claiming the new government laws will “send a clear signal” to illegal migrants and result in “taking back control of UK borders once and for all”.

Sunak writes that migrant boats crossing the Channel are “unfair on those who come here legally and enough is enough”.

He goes on to say his plans are “fair for those at home and those who have a legitimate claim to asylum” and accuses Labour of having “no plan” to stop the Channel crossings.

It’s expected the Illegal Migration Bill will put a duty on the home secretary to detain and deport anyone who enters the country illegally.

The new law would also prevent those arriving illegally from claiming asylum or returning to the UK in future.

Anyone removed would also not be able to seek British citizenship. While the bill will not become law for several months it will apply retrospectively, meaning anyone arriving in the UK illegally from Tuesday will be at risk of deportation under the laws.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said the bill would push “the boundaries of international law” without breaking it, telling the Express this was needed to “solve this crisis”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has described the plans as “unworkable”.