More than 100 Asylum Seekers Detained in Latest Government push to Tackle illegal Crossings

More than 100 asylum seekers have been detained for deportation to France as part of the government’s crackdown on migration, The Times understands. The Prime Minister’s tough stance also includes new signs in asylum seeker camps in France warning migrants, “Get on a small boat and you will be deported.”

Six boats reportedly launched from France on Monday, with 212 asylum seekers making the crossing on Sunday alone. A government source told the newspaper, “Detentions of those arriving from France have been taking place over the last 24 hours, so these small-boat migrants may end up finding themselves being bussed to a detention centre before the day is out.”

The detained 100 will be held in immigration centres pending their deportation back to France under the new plan, although those with legitimate asylum claims will be allowed to stay in the UK.

In the latest twist, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has pledged to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), scrap the Human Rights Act, and disapply international agreements that he believes obstruct deportations of people arriving illegally in the UK. Farage suggested replacing the Human Rights Act with a bill that only covers British citizens in what he described as the “opposite” of human rights.

He shared his ideas in The Telegraph, calling international human rights laws “malign influences” that had been allowed to “frustrate deportations.” He also promised, “The planes will take off, and plenty of them at that,” emphasising his belief that it was time to prioritise the UK over international treaties. He questioned Labour leader Keir Starmer’s stance, asking, “Is he on the side of the British people, national security, and protecting women and girls – or is he on the side of outdated international treaties and human rights lawyers?”

Farage’s party has been capitalising on public dissatisfaction with how both the Tories and Labour have handled the migrant issue. He plans to outline his proposals further on Tuesday. His senior ally, Zia Yusuf, suggested the new bill would apply to British citizens and legal residents, but also enable the detention and deportation of illegal migrants.

The Reform UK bill would focus on individual liberties such as the protection of liberty and free speech, rather than “human rights.” Under their plans, people who arrive in the UK by small boats or other unauthorised routes would have no right to claim asylum. The party suggests housing these migrants in detention facilities, possibly including old military bases.

Reform UK also plans to negotiate return deals with the largest countries of origin for asylum seekers, and discuss third-country deportation arrangements with nations like Rwanda and Albania. As a last resort, they’ve suggested deporting people to British overseas territories.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is facing increasing pressure over his own plans to address the small boat crisis. A record 28,288 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, with the latest 212 crossings making the total 46% higher than the same point in 2024.

A YouGov poll for The Times showed that 71% of voters believe the Prime Minister is handling the asylum hotel issue poorly, including 56% of Labour supporters. Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle told the Guardian that both Reform and the Tories are offering “fantasy solutions” to the crisis. She said, “These are back-of-the-fag-packet plans without the substance on delivery.”

A government source revealed that “by the end of the year, at least five more hotels are expected to be closed, with a big surge in closures in the new year.” Anti-migration protests at asylum seeker hotel sites, some attended by far-right groups, continued over the weekend, and the Government is bracing for more legal battles over the use of hotels.

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