Last week, new offences from the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act came into force.
The Act builds on years of restrictive legislation targeting people on the move. It expands detention, surveillance and enforcement powers, further penalising people for how they arrive in the UK. For example, the government has confirmed that for those considering a crossing, it’s now a criminal offence to look up the weather or tide times, and doing so could mean you end up in prison for five years.
The government claims these measures will deter people from attempting the dangerous Channel crossing. However, there’s no evidence that the new offences will have this effect.
In fact, we’re already seeing how increased border policing is pushing people into more dangerous routes and increasing exploitation.
Despite their attempts to reduce border crossings, 2025 saw the highest number of people crossing the Channel since 2022.
41,472 people made the treacherous journey in 2025 – a statistic branded “shameful” by a Home Office spokesperson.
What’s truly “shameful” is the UK government prioritising political point-scoring and hostility over building an asylum system rooted in compassion.
The government has closed or suspended almost all safe routes to the UK, including Refugee Family Reunion and the Afghan Resettlement Schemes.
Without safe routes, crossing the Channel is one of the only options for people fleeing violence and persecution to reach the UK. And now, broad sweeping powers in the new Act will prosecute even more people who take this journey to find safety.
RLS Outreach Officer Basma Kamel works with people who have been imprisoned upon arrival in the UK. She warns that the Act will mean that “survivors of war, persecution, trafficking, and torture are treated as criminals rather than humans who seek protection.”
We’re one of the only organisations supporting people who are thrown in jail simply for trying to find safety in the UK.
Given the new offences, we’ll be increasing our work to help people find immigration lawyers, challenge bail conditions, and find emergency accommodation if they’re left homeless following release from prison.
And this year, we’re launching the first asylum clinic specialising in supporting those who have been arrested after arriving in the UK.
After a traumatic journey and a hostile welcome to the UK, this support is vital. As the government continues to introduce ruthless legislation targeting people seeking safety, having someone on your side is essential.
But we can’t continue providing this crucial service without help from our friends and supporters.
Our urgent winter appeal is still running, and we need your help to reach our target.
If you can, please visit our CrowdJustice page and make a donation today: https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/stand-with-people-seeking-safety-this-winter/
