The government is introducing a new offence under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill targeting the advertisement of illegal Channel crossings online. This measure aims to provide law enforcement with more authority to combat criminal gangs facilitating illegal immigration. More than 25,000 migrants have crossed via small boats in 2025, and the offence will criminalise the online promotion of services that breach UK immigration law. Social media has been identified as a key tool used by around 80% of these migrants during their journey, prompting a crackdown on such postings by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
The new UK-wide offence would criminalise the creation of material for publication online, which promotes or offers services that facilitate a breach of UK immigration law.
According to analysis by the Home Office, around 80% of migrants arriving in the UK via a small boat have told officials they used social media during their journey.
Selling the false promise of a safe journey to the UK and a life in this country - whether on or offline - simply to make money, is nothing short of immoral.
The NCA has taken action against a number of people-smuggling gangs where social media accounts have been used to promote crossings.
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