Lord Paddick’s illegal migration Bill
Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government)
The Illegal Migration Act 2023 is a piece of legislation enacted by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, introduced by Suella Braverman, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in March 2023. The primary objective of the bill is to address and curtail “small boat crossings” across the English Channel, employing measures that some critics argue may run afoul of international law.
Background
The bill aims to detain and remove individuals entering the UK through illegal means, preventing their return. The proposal comes in response to a significant surge in migrants crossing the English Channel by boat, escalating from 300 annually in 2018 to 45,000 in 2022, and reaching 3,150 as of March 2023. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak identified this issue as one of five key priorities in January 2023, emphasizing stricter policies for those entering the country illegally.
Controversies and Criticisms
The announcement of the bill sparked backlash from UK rights groups, United Nations agencies, and individuals questioning its legality. Notably, BBC sports presenter Gary Lineker criticized the bill on social media, drawing parallels with language used in historical contexts. Lineker’s stance led to his removal from the presenting role on Match of the Day by the BBC, triggering support from other journalists and commentators.
Legislative Process
The bill underwent its third reading in the House of Commons on April 26, 2023, where Members of Parliament voted 289–230 in favor. Subsequently, it proceeded to the House of Lords for consideration. Despite facing defeat in the House of Lords, the government confirmed on July 5, 2023, that it would proceed with the bill.
On July 11, 2023, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick expressed the government’s rejection of what he characterized as “little short of wrecking amendments” to the bill. Finally, on July 20, 2023, the bill received royal assent.
Provisions
The Illegal Migration Act 2023 covers various aspects related to immigration control, detention, unaccompanied children, victims of slavery or human trafficking, leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, citizenship, the inadmissibility of certain protection and human rights claims, and the maximum number of persons entering the UK annually using safe and legal routes.
- Long Title: An Act to make provision for and in connection with the removal from the United Kingdom of persons who have entered or arrived in breach of immigration control; to make provision about detention for immigration purposes; to make provision about unaccompanied children; to make provision about victims of slavery or human trafficking; to make provision about leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom; to make provision about citizenship; to make provision about the inadmissibility of certain protection and certain human rights claims relating to immigration; to make provision about the maximum number of persons entering the United Kingdom annually using safe and legal routes; and for connected purposes.
- Citation: 2023 c. 37
- Introduced by: Suella Braverman, Secretary of State for the Home Department (Commons), Baron Murray of Blidworth, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Borders (Lords)
- Territorial Extent: England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
- Dates:
- Royal Assent: 20 July 2023
- Commencement: 20 July 2023
References
- ^ “Braverman claims 100m people could qualify for asylum without law change”. The Guardian. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ “Rishi Sunak: Hurdles in the race to pass Illegal Migration Bill”. BBC News. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ “Suella Braverman: small boats plan will push boundaries of international law”. The Guardian. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ “Small boats: New law to stop illegal Channel crossings set out”. BBC News. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ “Britain’s controversial asylum plan explained”. The Economic Times. 8 March 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ “Why the U.K.’s ‘Illegal Migration Bill’ Is Probably Illegal”. Time. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ “U.K.’s Sunak pledges to stop cross-Channel migrants”. The Hindu. 8 March 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ “What Is UK’s Proposed Illegal Migration Bill? What Does It Mean For Asylum Seekers?”. Outlook India. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ Bryant, Tom; Ambrose, Tom; Sparrow, Andrew (7 March 2023). “UN refugee agency ‘profoundly concerned’ by UK’s illegal migration bill saying it amounts to an asylum ban – as it happened”. The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ Syal, Rajeev; Siddique, Haroon (7 March 2023). “What does the UK government’s bill on illegal immigration propose?”. The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ Keay, Lara (8 March 2023). “Is the government’s new Illegal Migration Bill legal?”. Sky News. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ Crew, Jemma; Seddon, Sean (8 March 2023). “Gary Lineker says he will ‘keep speaking for those with no voice’ after asylum row”. BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ Gretener, Issy Ronald,Jorge Engels,Jessie (11 March 2023). “BBC’s flagship soccer show boycotted over Gary Lineker impartiality row”. CNN.
- ^ “Gary Lineker row: Match of the Day 2 expected to be broadcast in much-reduced format”.
- ^ Russell, Rachel; Adams, Charley (10 March 2023). “Gary Lineker to step back from presenting Match of the Day”. BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ Seddon, Paul (26 April 2023). “Illegal Migration Bill passes as Tory rebellion defused”. BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ “Rishi Sunak pressing ahead with bill to curb small boats”. BBC.
- ^ “Migration bill: Minister accuses Lords of trying to wreck asylum reforms”. BBC.