The United Kingdom has passed a new measure enabling border officials and law enforcement to take mobile phones and SIM cards from migrants entering the country without arrest.
Gatekeepers News reports that the measure is aimed at gathering data on smuggling networks behind dangerous Channel crossings.
Under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, which became law in December 2025, officers at processing centres such as Manston in Kent can use technology on site to extract information from seized devices to help identify and pursue people‑smuggling gangs.
Officials may also conduct searches of clothing and even probe for hidden electronic devices, such as SIM cards concealed inside coats or jackets, to ensure all relevant devices are found.
Border Security Minister Alex Norris said the expanded powers are part of efforts to restore order and control to the country’s borders by tackling those who organise illegal crossings and breaking up their networks.
In 2025, the number of migrants arriving in the UK across the English Channel reached over 41,000, one of the highest annual totals on record, a trend that has kept pressure on the government to strengthen border enforcement.
The new policy has drawn criticism from human rights groups and campaigners, who argue that intrusive searches and the taking of personal devices raise privacy concerns, especially for vulnerable people, including children.
Despite objections, officials maintain the law is necessary to collect key intelligence that can lead to arrests and prosecutions of smugglers and to reduce dangerous sea crossings.
