Wed Jul 23 18:06:44 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on over two dozen individuals and entities from the Balkans, the Middle East, and China, accusing them of facilitating illegal migration across the English Channel. This “landmark” move, utilizing new “Global Irregular Migration Sanctions Regime” powers, targets individuals, gangs, and suppliers involved in people-smuggling, including a Chinese small boat manufacturer and hawala money movers. The action comes amid rising political pressure to address record numbers of migrants crossing the Channel, a situation fueling far-right extremism and anti-immigrant sentiment. Critics caution against overstating the sanctions’ impact on dismantling smuggling networks. The UK government has implemented AI to assess ages, and come to an agreement with food delivery services to provide the location of hotels where illegal workers might be working.
**News Article:**
**UK Imposes Sanctions on Dozens Accused of Aiding Channel Migrant Crossings**
**London – July 23, 2025** – The United Kingdom announced sanctions Wednesday against more than two dozen individuals and organizations from the Balkans, the Middle East, and China, alleging their involvement in facilitating illegal migration across the English Channel. The move, deemed a “landmark” first use of new powers under the “Global Irregular Migration Sanctions Regime,” aims to curb the record number of migrants attempting the perilous journey from northern France.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated the sanctions target those “driving irregular migration to the U.K.,” including four alleged gangs, a Chinese small boat supplier, and “hawala” money movers. Asset freezes and travel bans have been imposed.
“From Europe to Asia, we are taking the fight to the people-smugglers who enable irregular migration, targeting them wherever they are in the world,” Lammy asserted.
The action comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government faces increasing political pressure to address the migrant crisis, which has been linked to a rise in far-right extremism and violence. Nearly 24,000 migrants have crossed the Channel so far this year, surpassing previous records.
The government is also cracking down on illegal working by sharing the location of asylum hotels with food delivery services and trialing AI to determine the ages of asylum seekers.
While the government hails the sanctions as a major step forward, some experts caution against overblown expectations. Tom Keatinge of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) warned against “overpromising,” stating that the impact on dismantling established smuggling networks remains to be seen.
First Piper 