The British government has pressed a hard line to curb a troubling influx of Albanian migrants crossing the English Channel. In addition to bilateral agreements aimed at accelerating deportation procedures, authorities have launched police investigations into organized crime and public awareness campaigns warning Albanian nationals of the consequences of entering the UK illegally. The overarching aim is to honor the government’s commitment to the Stop the Boats initiative and restore support among Brexit supporters who backed a tougher stance on immigration.
Last summer saw Albanian arrivals by boat from France comprise nearly 30 percent of all entries for the year. Data from the UK Home Office, as analyzed by the Immigration Observatory, show Albanian asylum applications in 2022 reached around 16,000, roughly three times higher than the previous year. Albanian officials attribute this rise to weak economic conditions at home and greater presence of organized crime in northern France. Yet the British government continues to emphasize that Albania remains a safe country.
Campaigns and investigations
The surge in arrivals has intensified political pressure on the conservative administration. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has launched a campaign to deter would-be migrants at their source. The banners, slated to hang on Albanian soil next week, proclaim in bold terms that illegal entry to the UK risks arrest and deportation. The move has drawn criticism from opposition Labour politicians and human rights advocates, who call it ineffective. Tim Naor Hilton, who leads Refugee Action, contends that if the government truly wants to tackle organized crime, it should invest in safer routes for asylum seekers to reach the country rather than simply discouraging them from leaving home.
The crackdown on criminal networks has intensified in recent months. The National Crime Agency, the UK equivalent of the FBI, is pursuing allegations against a network tied to human trafficking that reportedly involves Albanian connections. Officials note a growing use of third parties by organized crime to exploit protection mechanisms. Rob Richardson, who heads the modern slavery and human trafficking unit, pointed to recent findings. The government also regards the controversial Illegal Immigration Act as a potential lever to suspend temporary protections for asylum seekers once it becomes law through parliamentary approval.
Mutual agreements
Alongside the new legislation, the government has moved forward with a series of bilateral accords to enhance returns and cooperation with Albania. One agreement, signed last December, strengthens border controls and deepens security cooperation at all checkpoints. Since taking effect, more than a thousand Albanian nationals have returned, either voluntarily or involuntarily. Some of those returning are inmates serving sentences in the United Kingdom for offenses committed on British soil. The transfer of prisoners forms part of an existing accord that the Sunak administration says it will honor while also supporting reforms to the Albanian prison system with an investment plan aimed at expediting removal of inmates with lengthy sentences. Officials argue this approach can reduce costs to taxpayers and free up resources.
In parallel, the government is expanding the returning framework for other categories of people as part of broader efforts to manage migration flows. The intention is to ensure that individuals with no viable asylum case do not remain in the system for extended periods while processing and legal review take place.
International cooperation
Prime Minister Sunak and several ministers have spent considerable time over recent months securing cooperation agreements with countries of origin. The Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister has travelled to multiple North African states in pursuit of similar pacts, and Sunak has underscored the importance of finalizing fresh deals during the European Political Community meeting in Moldova. The government frames this as a global priority: coordinating efforts to curb illegal immigration requires international partnerships and shared responsibility.
Sunak has expressed confidence that a new agreement could be reached with the United States and the European Union in the near term, following discussions with EU leadership at major summits and bilateral talks with the Commission President. The emphasis is on aligning strategies to deter illegal immigration while maintaining humane and lawful avenues for asylum and protection where applicable. The government insists that addressing illegal crossings is essential for regional stability and national security, and it seeks to lead this agenda on the international stage while balancing domestic concerns about asylum policy and public safety.