Refugee charities have warned that the UK government's proposed border security, asylum and immigration bill risks criminalising asylum seekers, after it emerged that people who refuse rescue by French authorities during Channel crossings could face up to five years in prison. The bill, introduced to parliament on Thursday, also includes provisions for jailing people smugglers for up to 14 years for handling small boat parts and strengthening police powers to seize assets from suspected smugglers.
Campaigners expressed concern that the bill maintains draconian powers from the previous Conservative government, including making it harder for people to claim they are victims of modern slavery and imposing caps on safe and legal routes. Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: 'We are very concerned that by creating new offences, many refugees themselves could also be prosecuted... This would be a gross miscarriage of justice.'
The bill makes it an offence to 'endanger another life during perilous sea crossing to the UK', with anyone involved in coercive behaviour, including preventing offers of rescue, facing up to five years in prison. Home Office sources said some people on small boats have refused to let French authorities board because they wish to enter UK waters and claim asylum. A human rights assessment also found that parents could theoretically be prosecuted for endangering their children, potentially splitting families.
Labour hopes the legislation will help turn the tide against people-smuggling networks that have facilitated over 150,000 small boat arrivals since 2018, following a record 78 deaths in the Channel last year. The bill will make it illegal to supply or handle items suspected of being for use by organised crime groups, with offenders facing up to 14 years in jail. The Home Office aims to use these new offences to extradite suppliers and smugglers caught abroad.
Alison Pickup, executive director of Asylum Aid, said: 'Further criminalisation and measures blocking people from protection will do nothing to address the causes of forced displacement.' The bill follows the failure to repeal the Illegal Migration Act, which makes asylum claims from certain countries automatically inadmissible.
