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King Charles III announces new Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill
The bill aims to "modernise the asylum and immigration system," according to the King.
The King's Speech was delivered at the State Opening of Parliament. / UK Government
King Charles III of the United Kingdom in a speech to the parliament announced new bills on July.17, addressing key areas such as border security, asylum, and immigration.
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will establish the new Border Security Command and empower authorities to utilise counter-terrorism powers to address the small boats crossing the Channel.
The bill aims to "modernise the asylum and immigration system," according to the King. "My Government will seek to strengthen the border and make streets safer. A Bill will be introduced to modernise the asylum and immigration system, establishing a new Border Security Command and delivering enhanced counter terror powers to tackle organised immigration crime,” he said.
The new legislation is designed to bolster national security, the King explained. “Small boat crossings are undermining our border security and costing lives. Existing policies have failed to deter crossings or prosecute the people smugglers responsible, and our current asylum system is broken,” he said.
Key Features of the Bill
- Border Security Command: The new command will be equipped with tools and powers to combat criminal gangs, enhancing counter-terrorism measures and providing law enforcement officers with stronger powers to investigate organised immigration crime which includes stop and searches at the border.
- Stronger Penalties: There will be stricter penalties for those involved in organised immigration crime, including preparatory offences like advertising migrant smuggling services and supplying materials to organised crime gangs.
- Asylum System Reform: The Bill aims to clear the asylum backlog, end the use of hotels for asylum seekers, ensure fast-track returns for individuals from safe countries, and redirect funds from the failed Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) with Rwanda to the Border Security Command.
- Territorial Extent and Application: The Bill will extend and be applied all over the nation.
Illegal migration from India
This comes after he United Kingdom has been grappling with a sudden surge in illegal migrants in recent years. In 2023, over 1,000 Indians risked their lives by crossing the English Channel from Europe in inflatable small boats, seeking jobs and asylum.
This dangerous journey has seen a significant increase in Indian migrants, alongside a parallel rise in asylum applications from Indians, which exceeded 5,000 for the first time in 2023.
The King's Speech, delivered at the State Opening of Parliament, outlines the government's legislative agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session, which will run until July 2025.
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