The government quietly acknowledges that its agreement with Albania would not put a stop to the small-boats crisis, as UK authorities worry that “infinite” numbers of migrants may attempt to enter the country illegally.
Even if their deal to send back those coming from Tirana is effective, according to sources in Whitehall, there will be vast numbers of migrants from other nations prepared to take their place.
Government officials are worried because Rishi Sunak promised to stop Channel crossings in December by saying, “Enough is enough.”
As he laid out his strategy to lessen the number of migrants arriving in small boats on UK coasts, the Prime Minister said that it was “unfair people come here illegally.”
His plan included a new agreement with Albania to deport immigrants who had no legal right to be in the United Kingdom.
Nearly 13,000 people who crossed the English Channel in 2022 were from the Eastern European nation.
Ministers are concerned that Mr Sunak oversold his immigration strategy since they anticipate a significant number of crossings in the coming months.
The Times reported a senior government source as saying: “There is an almost infinite number of people who want to come to the UK.”
A record 45,756 migrants entered Britain via small boats in 2022, according to records.
The number has increased year since 2018, and is now 60% higher than in 2021.
In addition, 1,295 persons crossed the English Channel on August 22 of last year, which was the most crossings ever recorded in a single day.
A Home Office source added: “No one is saying illegal migrants from Albania is the only issue we face.”
“That’s why the prime minister and the home secretary have a plan to tackle illegal migration across the Channel in small boats, irrespective of the nationality of those making the journey, and they will be bringing forward new legislation to target this as soon as possible.”
No10 claims that it is still committed to the deportation plan for Rwanda.
