Over 1,000 Albanians Booted Since UK-Albania Deal
More than 1,000 Albanian nationals have been sent home since the UK and Albania struck a landmark deal on December 13 to fight illegal migration. The joint communiqué signed by the two Prime Ministers has supercharged efforts to stop small boat crossings in the English Channel.
Joint Task Force Cracks Down on Illegal Migrants
UK and Albanian teams have launched a joint migration task force to coordinate harsh new measures. They’re tightening border checks, boosting ID verifications, and swapping senior police officers between countries to crack down on Albanian nationals attempting to sneak into the UK illegally.
Saimir Boshnjaku, Head of Albanian Border Police: “We are working hand in hand with our British colleagues under the joint migration task force to prevent irregular migration to the UK and related crimes. The Border and Migration Police urges all citizens to follow the legal way of migration and assures that all persons breaking the law will face the consequences.”
Tony Eastaugh, UK Immigration Enforcement Director General: “These numbers prove our partnership with Albania is working to speed up removals of those with no legal right to stay. Illegal Albanian migrants should know we will remove them as quickly as possible.”
Return Figures Show Sharp Rise in Voluntary Departures
In 2022, the UK returned 1,888 Albanians — half enforced removals, half voluntary. The voluntary returns jumped 90% from 2021, a trend continuing strong in 2023. From January to March alone, 795 Albanians were sent home, just over half voluntarily.
Both governments are determined to crush illegal migration, which threatens public safety and fuels crime and exploitation.
UK Immigration Enforcement Ramps Up
- Enforcement visits from January to March 2023 soared 53% compared to last year, jumping from 2,111 to 3,228 visits.
- Backlog of initial asylum decision cases dropped 11% from December 2022 to March 2023.
- The number of asylum decision-makers has risen by 48% since July 2022, reaching 1,281 as of March 1, 2023.
