The Illegal Migration Bill will change the law to prevent and deter unlawful migration, and in particular migration by unsafe and illegal routes
The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman KC MP, has sent a clear message with this bill - those that arrive in the UK illegally will not be able to stay and will instead be detained and promptly removed, either to their home country or a safe third country. 57 countries are identified in the schedule to the Bill as countries to which a person can be removed, including all EU states.
The Bill enables the swift detention of illegal arrivals, without bail or judicial review within the first 28 days of detention, until they can be removed. By speeding up the removal of those with no right to be here, this will free up capacity to allow resources to be better allocated to support those in genuine need of asylum through safe and legal routes.
Commenting, Leo said:
"On Monday, I voted for the Home Secretary’s Illegal Migration Bill on its Second Reading. This new legislation is designed to help stop the increasing numbers of dangerous, illegal and unnecessary crossings in the Channel and make our asylum system fairer and more robust. The Bill was voted through by a majority of MPs and now moves on to its Committee Stage for line by line scrutiny.
"I know some people are concerned by any move to tighten the law in this area; however, we have a moral duty to stop the boats. People are dying in the Channel rather than claiming asylum in the first safe country they come to. The way to stop these deaths is to stop the boats and break the incentives and business model of the people-smuggling criminal gangs.
"Crucially, the Bill will safeguard humanitarian protection for those who genuinely need it via existing safe and legal routes. We in the UK have a long and proud tradition of offering refuge to those fleeing oppression and violence – from the Huguenots, to the Kinder Transport, to the Ugandan Asians, Afghans, Ukrainians and Hong Kongers. It is right that we continue to help those in genuine need of refuge, whilst deterring illegal crossings and returning those who have no legal grounds to be here."
Leo pictured in the House of Commons