Migrants who arrive in Britain illegally could be forced to wear electronic tags under new Government plans to tackle the lack of space at detention camps.
The proposals would see migrants GPS tracked in real time and required to report via text message or in person to immigration officers multiple times a day, it has been claimed.
It follows concerns that Britain could run out of space in immigration detention which can hold only 2,500 people.
Officials have been asked to find alternative ways of ensuring that thousands of migrants who arrive illegally but cannot be detained do not flee.
One source told the Telegraph: "Tagging is being discussed as an option."
They added: "They are looking at all of these options. Given the state of prison capacity, that could reach breaking point and the Government knows that."
The plans have received backlash from left-wing campaigners who say the proposals are "punitive" and "draconian".
Some have argued that those escaping to Britain for safety are being treated like "criminals".
Last week, Home Office figures revealed Britain's asylum backlog had hit a record high of more than 175,000 for the first time.
A total of 175,457 people were waiting for an initial decision on an asylum application in the UK at the end of June 2023, up 44 per cent from 122,213 at the end of June 2022.
The jump has been driven by cross-Channel migrants lodging applications after arriving in the UK.
The government is spending £3.97 billion housing and supporting asylum seekers, including £6 million a day to house 51,000 people in hotels.
Officials have been asked for a “deep dive” into ideas to replace detention, given the limited capacity.
Under proposals to expand electronic tagging in the criminal justice system, the Government hopes to almost double the number of defendants and offenders tagged at any one time, to 25,000, by March 2025.
Last year David Neal, the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, said: “There will be fewer devices available than the number of individuals subject to the duty.”
from GB News https://ift.tt/IQlgXzt
Migrants who arrive in Britain illegally could be forced to wear electronic tags under new Government plans to tackle the lack of space at detention camps.
The proposals would see migrants GPS tracked in real time and required to report via text message or in person to immigration officers multiple times a day, it has been claimed.
It follows concerns that Britain could run out of space in immigration detention which can hold only 2,500 people.
Officials have been asked to find alternative ways of ensuring that thousands of migrants who arrive illegally but cannot be detained do not flee.
One source told the Telegraph: "Tagging is being discussed as an option."
They added: "They are looking at all of these options. Given the state of prison capacity, that could reach breaking point and the Government knows that."
The plans have received backlash from left-wing campaigners who say the proposals are "punitive" and "draconian".
Some have argued that those escaping to Britain for safety are being treated like "criminals".
Last week, Home Office figures revealed Britain's asylum backlog had hit a record high of more than 175,000 for the first time.
A total of 175,457 people were waiting for an initial decision on an asylum application in the UK at the end of June 2023, up 44 per cent from 122,213 at the end of June 2022.
The jump has been driven by cross-Channel migrants lodging applications after arriving in the UK.
The government is spending £3.97 billion housing and supporting asylum seekers, including £6 million a day to house 51,000 people in hotels.
Officials have been asked for a “deep dive” into ideas to replace detention, given the limited capacity.
Under proposals to expand electronic tagging in the criminal justice system, the Government hopes to almost double the number of defendants and offenders tagged at any one time, to 25,000, by March 2025.
Last year David Neal, the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, said: “There will be fewer devices available than the number of individuals subject to the duty.”
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