The ‘back door’ migrant route into Britain: Immigration crackdown as people smuggling gangs exploit soft border between UK and Ireland

The ‘Back Door’ Migrant Route into Britain: Immigration Crackdown Targets People-Smuggling Gangs Exploiting Soft Border

Illegal immigration is typically associated with small boat arrivals from France, but a covert strategy has emerged through Britain’s Common Travel Area (CTA) with Ireland. Law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to intercept migrants and criminal networks using this informal border corridor.

Operation Unveils New Tactics in Border Security

Authorities report that the CTA, which permits free movement between the UK and Ireland for citizens, has been manipulated by smuggling groups as a secondary entry method. To address this, police and immigration teams conducted a coordinated operation at key UK-Ireland ports and airports, resulting in 32 arrests related to unauthorized immigration.

At Holyhead, the Mail observed a live facial recognition system scanning ferry passengers as they passed through the terminal. Additional checks were performed on lorries entering the port, with some vehicles inspected near a motorway outside the town. The taskforce, led by DCC Wendy Gunney, collaborated with Immigration Enforcement, Border Force, and regional police forces to execute the three-day operation.

“The Common Travel Area is being used by criminal gangs as a back-entry route into the UK, so our operation is about reinforcing border security,” said Gunney. “Creating a visible presence at the border acts as a strong deterrent, and live facial recognition technology enhances our ability to detect known offenders.”

While no passport checks are required between the UK and Ireland, travelers must present photo ID. Officials routinely conduct random inspections, but the recent operation focused on strengthening these measures. Gunney highlighted the growing threat of organized crime through the CTA, emphasizing the need to secure all entry points.

Technology and Tactics in the Fight Against Smuggling

Facial recognition vans utilize cameras to capture and analyze facial features, comparing them against a database of suspected individuals. When a match is identified, an officer reviews the flagged results. Civil rights groups argue this technology expands surveillance capabilities, but Gunney defended its reliability, stating that those not on the watchlist face no risk.

The crackdown also uncovered the dual use of the CTA for moving drugs and illicit goods. Among the 32 detained were a Lesotho national wanted by Irish authorities for domestic violence and four Pakistani men who arrived at Birmingham airport from Belfast. These individuals had invalid UK visas and pending asylum claims, which were canceled after breaching reporting conditions.

During a traffic stop on the A55 in North Wales, an Indian man was discovered to be a visa overstayer with a rejected asylum application. He was also suspected of working illegally for a delivery company. The Home Office confirmed deportation plans and potential fines for the business.

In 2024, 14 Albanians were found concealed inside a livestock wagon traveling from Northern Ireland to the UK mainland. This highlights the ongoing challenge of monitoring hidden migrant flows through the CTA. The operation underscores a broader strategy to target both people-smuggling and broader organized crime activities across the border region.