LONDON: The British government says it has removed more than 80,000 foreign nationals from the United Kingdom over the past two years.
The group includes foreign criminals, people whose asylum claims were rejected and others who had no legal right to remain in the country.
More Than 11,700 Foreign Criminals Removed
According to a British newspaper report, the number of foreign criminals removed from the UK has reached 11,733.
The figures also show that around 5,995 offenders were deported before completing their prison sentences.
The government has continued to focus on removing foreign nationals who have committed crimes in the UK.
More Read
Thousands of Failed Asylum Cases Removed
The figures also include people linked to unsuccessful asylum claims.
Around 24,471 people were removed while their asylum cases were under consideration or after their applications had been rejected.
Another 19,622 people were removed because they had no legal right to remain in Britain.
The figures show the scale of the government’s current immigration enforcement efforts.
Returns Include Small-Boat Arrivals
The British newspaper also reported that 6,103 people who arrived in the UK by small boats have been removed.
Small-boat crossings have become a major political issue in Britain.
The government has faced pressure to reduce irregular migration across the English Channel.
Officials are now seeking to speed up the removal of people who do not have permission to stay.
UK Plans Larger Immigration Detention Capacity
The British government has announced further measures to strengthen immigration enforcement.
More Read
It plans to increase the capacity of immigration detention centres by 40 percent.
The expansion is intended to support faster removals.
Officials say the additional capacity will help authorities manage people who face deportation or removal from the UK.
Home Secretary Warns Rule Breakers
British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said people who break the law should not be allowed to remain in the UK.
The government wants to increase the pace of removals of people who have no legal right to stay.
The policy forms part of broader efforts to tighten Britain’s immigration system.
Immigration Policy Remains Politically Sensitive
Immigration remains one of the most closely watched political issues in the UK.
The government faces pressure to control irregular migration while maintaining the country’s asylum system.
The latest removal figures indicate that authorities are placing greater emphasis on enforcement and deportation.
The planned expansion of detention facilities could further increase the government’s ability to carry out removals.
