Major law change as Germany bids to crack down on people smugglers to UK
New German law will punish people smugglers who try to bring immigrants to the UK with up to 10 years in prison.
The law, approved on Friday, aims to crack down on criminal gangs who store boats and motorboats in Germany before sending them to France for Channel crossings.
The change, which will come into force before the end of the year, will increase information sharing between the UK and Germany by strengthening law enforcement and prosecutors.
This follows an agreement reached between the two countries last December to combat illegal immigration, including by removing smugglers’ social media ads.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “This major change in German law is a result of our close partnership to combat illegal immigration and organized immigration crime.
“We will continue to increase our international cooperation to strengthen our own border security.”
The UK Government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act became law earlier this month, allowing law enforcement to use counter-terrorism-style powers to crack down on people-smuggling gangs.
The Home Secretary also announced reforms to overhaul the asylum system to deter illegal immigration and make it easier to deport people who have no right to be in the UK.
Shabana Mahmood said: “Together with our German allies, we are dismantling the criminal gangs running the illegal migration trade.
“I thank (Interior Minister Alexander) Dobrindt for Germany’s strong cooperation with the UK in tackling this problem.
“This Government is restoring order at our borders by increasing deportations and removing the incentives that draw people here illegally.”
