Rishi Sunak and Albanian PM pledge to close loopholes to fast-track deportation of migrants

Social media firms will have to remove adverts by Channel people smugglers or face fines under laws proposed by Tory MP Natalie Elphicke

A protest by Albanians in London demanding Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, resigns for calling migrants invaders
A protest by Albanians in London demanding Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, resigns for her comments about an 'invasion' of migrants Credit: Peter Marshall / Alamy Live News

A deal to fast track the deportation of Albanian migrants came a step closer on Thursday after Rishi Sunak and Edi Rama, Albania's prime minister, agreed to close loopholes preventing their removal.

The two leaders spoke on the phone to discuss plans to “step up cooperation” to stem the surge in Albanian migrants crossing the Channel to reach the UK. They have accounted for more than 12,000 - or 30 per cent - of the 44,000 small boat migrants.

Mr Sunak and Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, are working on proposals to fast-track the return of Albanian migrants by making it easier to reject asylum applications on the basis that they have come from a “safe” country.

They are also examining proposals to revamp the modern slavery act to prevent Albanian migrants from exploiting the legislation in order to remain in the UK.  

"The PM acknowledged the positive contribution of the Albanian community to life in the UK, but both leaders agreed that more needed to be done to tackle illegal immigration and tackle organised crime together,” a Downing Street spokesman said.

"They discussed plans to step up cooperation to address shared challenges, including closing loopholes that are preventing the rapid return of failed asylum seekers. (They) look forward to working together to deal with those issues and deepen the broader UK-Albania relationship."

Edi Rama, Albania's prime minister, has also previously urged Albanians not to leave but set up businesses
Edi Rama, Albania's prime minister, has also previously urged Albanians not to leave but set up businesses Credit: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg

Ministers believe the Albanians will be receptive to fast-track returns agreements despite criticism last month by Mr Rama of Mrs Braverman’s “rhetoric” when she talked of an “invasion” by migrants and accused Albanians of abusing modern slavery laws.

Mr Rama has pushed the UK to take a similar approach to Germany which refused entry to the country to any Albanian arriving illegally but opened up a work visa route for Albanians who had learned German.

Mr Rama has also previously urged Albanians not to leave but set up businesses, and echoed UK ministers’ arguments that it is a “safe” country and a member of NATO negotiating EU membership.

One option being examined by ministers would see Albania treated as an accession state and “safe” country. It could mean migrants arriving in the UK would have their asylum claims treated as “unfounded,” and their removals fast tracked unless they could demonstrate exceptional reasons to remain.

Rules on modern slavery could be tightened

David Davis, the former Brexit minister, has been advocating a model similar to Sweden which introduced legislation in 2021 establishing a list of “safe” countries whereby arrivals from them could be immediately returned to them.

Albania was among eight countries on the list, since when there have been no asylum applications from the Balkan state. Asylum claims from Albania are judged “manifestly unfounded” unless there are humanitarian reasons or family ties that would justify residence in Sweden.

Ministers are also considering tightening the rules on modern slavery claims to prevent late appeals or applications and raise the threshold on the evidence required to justify their claim to be a victim of trafficking.

Social media firms to be forced to remove trafficking adverts

Social media companies will be forced to prevent and remove adverts by Channel people smugglers or face multi-million pound fines under proposed new laws.

A new offence of sending communications “facilitating modern slavery and illegal immigration” has been proposed in an amendment to the online safety bill, which is due to return to the Commons on Monday.

Anyone successfully prosecuted for promoting illegal small boat journeys would face a maximum jail sentence of six months under the criminal offence which has been put forward by Natalie Elphicke, the Conservative MP for Dover.

TikTok has proved to be a platform of choice for the adverts, largely by Albanian and Kurdish people smugglers to offer what they claim are “safe” journeys across the Channel and promote cut-price deals including reductions for children or the disabled.

By criminalising the adverts, it would become “illegal” content which social media companies would by law be required to prevent appearing on their platforms and remove alongside other criminal activities including child sexual exploitation, terrorism, incitement to violence, harassment, race hate and fraud.

Ofcom, the watchdog, will get powers under the Bill to impose fines on the firms of up to 10 per cent of their global turnover if they fail to comply with the requirements. It will also have the sanction of being able to block their services in the UK.

Ms Elphicke, who has been in talks with ministers about her proposals, said the aim was to “tackle the Tik Tok traffickers. “ When Australia mounted their “Sovereign Borders” operation, social media was a really important part of the core strategy,” she said.

“It would be a missed opportunity if we don’t make sure we have tackled the environment that is allowing them to advertise their illegal trade.”

She is also proposing a second amendment which she claims would close apparent loopholes in the current bill which includes illegal immigration as one of the priority offences.

She said the current definitions only included facilitation immigration offences but did not capture illegal entry, entry after being deported and modern slavery which was “in need of rectification.” She said an offence of sharing communications would also reinforce the need to monitor and remove adverts.

“While illegal content and criminal behaviour is within the act as a whole, it is making it a priority offence that creates the obligation for the companies to have to take action and treat it seriously,” said Ms Elphicke.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said social media companies had been taking down more adverts when requested by police following an agreement with them last December. Fewer than half had been removed after police requests before the agreement, compared with more than 90 per cent currently.

However, police chiefs want the platforms to be more proactive and identify and remove such adverts promoting illegal people smuggling without having to be asked to do so.

“We are clear that industry urgently needs to work with us and do more to prevent their platforms being exploited by organised criminals. They have a responsibility to do so, and we have ongoing positive engagement with them,” said a spokesman.

It comes as the number of migrants to cross the English Channel in small boats has edged closer to 44,000 this year as around 50 more migrants were rescued yesterday (Thur).

 It comes after a further 426 were intercepted by Border Force officers on Wednesday in eight boats. Nearly 4,000 migrants have made the crossing in November including 1,772 in the last week alone.

It takes the number who have arrived so far this year to 43,898 in 1,026 boats compared to 28,526 in the whole of 2021.

A Government spokesman said any amendments to the bill would be considered.

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