UK Government Announces Immigration Enforcement Surge in Northern Ireland After Belfast Attack and Unrest

The UK government announced new measures to intensify immigration enforcement in Northern Ireland after an attack in Belfast and unrest the previous day. Arrests have continued in connection with the unrest. A government source said the government will increase efforts to track down, detain, arrest and remove illegal migrants in Northern Ireland.

Immigration officers will provide round-the-clock coverage at seaports, airports, roads and rail networks during the operations. 7 billion into immigration enforcement activity over the next three years, including in Northern Ireland. Investment into enforcement will increase by over 20 per cent by 2028/2029.

No new money is being used as part of the plan. The new investment will support a surge in intelligence-led operations by Immigration Enforcement and Border Force along routes used to detect, track down, arrest and remove illegal migrants. Under this government, immigration enforcement raids to detain and remove illegal migrants in Northern Ireland have increased by 16 per cent.

Since the general election, a multi-agency crackdown targeting abuse of the Common Travel Area has led to the arrest of 250 organised criminals and immigration offenders and the seizure of over £435,000 of criminal cash. The Common Travel Area is an agreement between Britain and Ireland that allows British and Irish citizens free movement and the associated rights and privileges.

Irish citizens do not need permission to enter or remain in the UK.