The British government plans to impose up to five years in prison for people smugglers who use social media to attract migrants wishing to enter the UK illegally. A record 25,000 individuals made this dangerous journey this year, with around 80% contacting smugglers online. Currently illegal immigration facilitation is a crime in the UK, and the government aims to enhance law enforcement's ability to tackle these crimes. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the actions of smugglers as immoral and highlighted the serious risks posed to migrants by these criminals.
Selling the false promise of a safe journey to the UK and a life in this country, whether on or offline, simply to make money, is nothing short of immoral. These criminals have no issue with leading migrants to life-threatening situations using brazen tactics on social media.
The facilitation of illegal immigration is already a criminal offense in the UK, but the government wants to give police and law enforcement agencies more options to combat smuggling gangs who promote illegal crossings of the English Channel online.
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