PRITI Patel will introduce laws which could see asylum seekers sent to an immigration centre in Africa for processing after 5,300 arrivals this year, according to a report.
The Home Secretary is set to announce legislation to crack down on people smugglers as she opens discussions with Denmark over sharing a processing centre in Africa.
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Priti Patel will unveil new legislation to tackle migrant crossings Credit: Getty 3
Over 5,300 people have made the dangerous journey across the Channel this year Credit: PA
As part of the Nationality and Borders Bill, asylum seekers will be processed outside the UK in a bid to stop migrants making the perilous journey across the English Channel, The Times reports.
A government source told the newspaper that Home Office ministers had also discussed plans with Denmark to share a centre in Africa.
The Scandinavian country is said to be planning to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, with two Danish ministers visiting the nation in Central Africa last month to sign off a memorandum on asylum and migration.
In the memorandum, officials from both countries said that processing applications outside the EU would help “break the negative incentive structure of the present asylum system."
The Home Office has also studied the Australian system which bans the arrival of asylum seekers by sea - with applications processed in offshore immigration centres in neighbouring countries such as Papa New Guinea.
A government source told The Times: “The prime minister and home secretary are determined to look at anything that will make a difference on Channel crossings”.
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The number of crossings this year is more than double the number this time last year Credit: PA
Over 5,300 migrants have made the dangerous journey across the British channel this year, which is more than double the number this time a year ago.
Ms Patel has blamed people smugglers for taking advantage of the summer weather, which makes the Channel crossing easier.
But the Home Secretary has faced criticism from Boris Johnson for failing to crack down on the number of arrivals.
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It comes after the government laid out plans to reform the system in the Queen's Speech in May this year.
Her Majesty said: “Measures will be brought forward to establish a fairer immigration system that strengthens the United Kingdom’s borders and deters criminals who facilitate dangerous and illegal journeys.”
TikTok shows migrants crossing the channel after Priti Patel orders social media giants to scrap posts glamourising risking the crossings