- The UK government is introducing a new offence to criminalise gangs promoting illegal Channel crossings and other immigration breaches on social media.
- An amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will create a UK-wide offence targeting online material that facilitates illegal immigration, such as small boat journeys or fake travel documents.
- Individuals found guilty of this new offence could face a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine.
- The measure is being implemented as the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats has exceeded 25,000 in 2025, the earliest point this figure has been reached in a calendar year.
- Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the move aims to empower law enforcement to disrupt people-smuggling tactics more effectively.
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