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Immigration guides UK UK boosts overseas co-operation to protect its borders
UK boosts overseas co-operation to protect its borders
Tuesday, 02 March 2010 14:44 | 
Woolas: “Our enforcement work must go hand in hand with circular migration”
UK has launched a new international strategy aimed at preventing illegal immigration in the source country.
The government said it is committed to putting migration at the heart of international relationships by working closer than ever with foreign governments, sharing data and intelligence with enforcement agencies abroad, and ensuring developing countries have the skills they need to thrive.
The international action plan - a joint strategy by the Home Office and Foreign & Commonwealth Office - underlines the need to take the fight against human traffickers, forgers and foreign criminals to the source, with the new UK Border Agency’s work overseas more crucial than ever before.
In 2008-09, the UK Border Agency stopped 67,000 inadequately documented passengers from boarding planes to the UK.
More than 125 drug couriers were arrested in Ghana and Jamaica in the past year as part of Operations Airbridge and Westbridge, which see frontline officers working with overseas authorities to stop drug couriers before they reach Britain.
Suspected fraudulent visa applications were referred to police abroad leading to more than 1,280 arrests across the globe as of September 2009.
The UK Government recognises that this enforcement work can only take place alongside capacity building in developing countries.
Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said: “The message today is clear, we want the smugglers, traffickers and forgers out there to know, wherever they are in the world, we are watching them. Paying people traffickers is a rip off.
“Three quarters of the world’s population now need a visa to come to Britain, and UK Border Agency officers are working in 135 different countries to stop organised criminals in their tracks.
“Our enforcement work must go hand in hand with circular migration, and sharing our skills and training with developing nations.”
UK ministers have committed to support circular migration to reduce the impact of skills loss on other countries, ensuring migrants are able to send money back home, and enabling those who need protection to seek refuge as close to home as possible.
A new action plan – entitled ‘International Challenges, International Solutions: Managing the Movement of People and Goods’ - looks at proposals to allow skilled temporary residents in the UK to ‘pause’ their journey to citizenship so they can return home and contribute their expertise. This would allow developing nations the chance to benefit from these skilled workers without interfering with their path to citizenship in the UK.
Mr. Woolas said: “There is no question that migration has brought benefits to the UK economy. Many of those who come here plug hard-to-fill jobs gaps, playing a key role in running public services especially in health and education.
“But while Britain is benefiting, it is important that we do not deprive other countries of the skilled people they need most. It’s in our long term interest that they have the doctors, nurses and teachers who are so crucial to their development.
“That’s why, particularly in these difficult times, we must ensure those that do come here are given the opportunity to help back home and invest their new found skills.”