Modern Slavery Act: 12,000 Albanian migrants reach UK in 2022 - a look at their treacherous journey

Albanians had started crossing the channel and landing up in Britain ever since the Modern Slavery Act was enacted by Theresa May when she was home secretary in the UK. Now more than 12,000 Albanians have successfully landed in Britain on the pretext of “Modern Slavery Act”.

Albania is a big claimant to EU membership. Before formally being inducted into the European Union, Albanians can get a free VISA for travel within the EU without having their passports checked. So most Albanians go by land to Belgium, crossing Serbia, Hungary, Germany, and France in Calais, where they wait for the next ferry into the UK.

Some Albanians also land in Spain and take cargo ships from Bilbao and Santander to Portsmouth, Southampton, and Liverpool to avoid Channel police.





Reports suggest an Albanian pays trafficking gangs around £3500 to £15,000 to enter Britain. Migrants who can afford it take a plane from Albania, land in Dunkirk (France) or Nieuwpoort in Belgium, and then wait for a small boat to help them cross.

Migrants are initially formally detained rather than arrested. Only when fingerprints are taken and a criminal is identified, they're arrested for being deported. Those with no suspicion, are sent to hotels or go off to live with relatives till their applications are processed. Those convicted cannot be deported, as long as their cases are under judicial process.

FAQs:

Name the top five countries of asylum seekers in the UK.
Albania, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.

How many illegal immigrants are in the UK?
Between 600,000 to 750,000 illegal immigrants in the UK.