In a significant move to combat people smuggling to the UK, Germany plans to tighten laws prohibiting the facilitation of illegal migration, coinciding with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first official visit to the UK.
Germany Tightens People-Smuggling Laws Amidst UK Chancellor Visit
Germany Tightens People-Smuggling Laws Amidst UK Chancellor Visit
Germany's crackdown on migrant smuggling takes center stage during Chancellor Merz's UK visit, forging closer cooperation between the two nations.
Germany is poised to implement stricter legislation aimed at dismantling migrant smuggling networks by the end of this year, as outlined by UK officials. This policy update will occur in tandem with a new bilateral agreement between the UK and Germany focusing on migration, business, and defense. During Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to London, the leaders will endorse measures that criminalize facilitating illegal migration to the UK, a move that follows a BBC investigation linking Germany to a significant number of small boat crossings across the English Channel.
Currently, it is not explicitly illegal in Germany to assist in the smuggling of migrants to countries outside the European Union, including the UK post-Brexit. However, this forthcoming legislation is intended to empower German authorities to take action against warehouses utilized for concealing vessels designed for these perilous crossings. The German government had previously agreed to bolster its smuggling laws, but the newly appointed Chancellor Merz is expected to expedite the legislative process.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed this commitment, emphasizing the necessity of disrupting the supply chains exploited by smugglers. Concurrently, the UK is exploring a new “one in, one out” return scheme with France, aimed at addressing the rising numbers of undocumented migrants crossing the Channel. Year-to-date statistics indicate that over 21,000 individuals have made this hazardous journey, representing a 56% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Opposition voices have criticized the government's handling of the situation, claiming that the crisis continues to escalate without substantial solutions.
In addition to migration discussions, Merz and Starmer will also delve into collaborative defense initiatives, including increased UK defense exports and the establishment of a UK-Germany Business Forum to foster bilateral investments. The visit is expected to announce commercial projects exceeding £200 million, generating over 600 new jobs, alongside the expansion of a German defense tech company into the UK market.
