UK to intensify crackdown on illegal migrants in Northern Ireland

The UK government is set to step up immigration enforcement efforts in Northern Ireland, with authorities planning a stronger crackdown on illegal migrants entering and living in the region through the Common Travel Area (CTA).

According to a government source, the Home Office will increase intelligence-led operations aimed at identifying, detaining, arresting and removing people found to be in the UK illegally, as per a report by BBC. The expanded enforcement campaign will involve Immigration Enforcement officers and Border Force personnel operating along key Common Travel Area routes.

The move comes amid growing political pressure from unionist parties, which have called for tougher action against migrants entering Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland.

More raids and enforcement operations

According to BBC News report, government figures show that since the Labour government took office, authorities have carried out 2,682 immigration enforcement operations aimed at detaining and removing illegal migrants. Officials said this represents a 16% increase compared with the final 21 months of the previous Conservative administration.

As a result of these operations, 2,233 people have been detained or arrested for immigration-related offences.

The Home Office also said nearly 1,000 illegal migrants have been removed from Northern Ireland over the past year.

Focus on Common Travel Area routes

Much of the enforcement activity is being conducted through Operation Gull, a long-running intelligence-led initiative that operates at Northern Ireland's air and sea ports.

The operation is designed to prevent abuse of the Common Travel Area, an arrangement that allows British and Irish citizens to move freely between the UK, Ireland and Crown Dependencies without routine passport checks.

According to government figures, around 70% of immigration enforcement activity in Northern Ireland is linked to Operation Gull.

Officials said more than 900 immigration offenders were detected through the operation last year, as quoted by BBC. The most commonly encountered nationalities were Romanian, Albanian and Afghan.

What is the Common Travel Area?

The Common Travel Area dates back to 1922 and grants reciprocal travel and residency rights to British and Irish citizens.

While British and Irish nationals can generally travel freely within the area, citizens of other countries must meet immigration requirements, including carrying valid passports and, where applicable, visas.

Individuals found without the necessary documentation may be detained and returned to the Republic of Ireland under immigration rules. However, those who submit an asylum claim cannot be removed while their application is being assessed.

As reported by BBC, the Irish Department of Justice said both governments share responsibility for protecting the Common Travel Area while preserving the open border arrangements on the island of Ireland.

The department said the two countries had agreed to strengthen immigration data-sharing and cooperation to prevent misuse of the system by individuals not entitled to its benefits.