UK Authorities Gain Power to Seize Phones From Small Boat Migrants

UK authorities will be able to confiscate mobile phones and SIM cards from migrants arriving on small boats without making arrests, starting 5 January 2026. This measure follows the introduction of new legal powers under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act.

The Act, which received Royal Assent on 2 December 2025, enables law enforcement to seize and access data from electronic devices carried by migrants upon arrival. The implementation of these powers is set to begin at the Manston processing centre in Kent.

Additional provisions in the new law introduce penalties for activities linked to Channel crossings. Storing or supplying boat engines for such crossings can result in a maximum prison sentence of 14 years, while researching maps or equipment for small boat departures carries a maximum sentence of five years.

The government stated that these steps are part of efforts to address people-smuggling networks. Border Security Minister Alex Norris said the government is implementing robust new laws to disrupt these operations.

What the numbers show

• 41,472 migrants arrived in the UK via small boats in 2025
• 2025 arrivals were 13% higher than 2024 and 41% higher than 2023
• The 2025 total was 9% below the 2022 record of 45,774

In 2025, the number of migrants arriving by small boats reached the second-highest annual total recorded in the UK. The 2025 figure represented a notable increase compared to the previous two years, though it remained below the peak recorded in 2022.

The new enforcement powers are focused on the initial processing of arrivals, with the Manston centre in Kent identified as the location where these measures will be applied. Authorities are now able to act without the prerequisite of arresting individuals to seize electronic devices.

Under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, law enforcement is also authorised to extract data from devices seized from migrants. The stated aim is to support investigations into organised smuggling activities.

According to government statements, the introduction of these powers forms part of a broader legislative response to the ongoing issue of unauthorised Channel crossings. The government has indicated that the new measures are designed to disrupt the methods used by smuggling groups.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.