Between July 2024 and January 2026, just over 58,000 foreigners were deported from the United Kingdom, some by force, others through "voluntary returns." Amid the rise of the far right in the country, the Labour government has made irregular immigration its central issue since coming to power.
Nearly 60,000 people have been deported or have left the UK in the 19 months since Keir Starmer's government came to power in the summer of 2024. This is 30 percent more than in the previous 19 months: from December 2022 to June 2024, just over 44,600 foreign nationals were deported.
Specifically, from July 2024 to January 2026, "more than 15,200 undocumented migrants were forcibly removed [...] representing a 45 percent increase compared to the previous 19 months."
Albanians remain the nationality most affected by forced returns in 2025, "as has been the case for the past four years," the Home Office said.
Read AlsoBritish government vows to fight legal challenges brought against 'one in, one out' deal with France
Deportations of 'murderers and rapists'
Authorities in London specify that these forced returns primarily concern criminals. "Deportations of foreign nationals convicted of offenses, including murderers and rapists, have increased by 32 percent, with more than 8,700 people deported since the government came to power," British authorities detailed.
They further specified: "From February 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, 70 charter flights were operated for returns to countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe." Deportations, which affect hundreds of foreigners each month, exceeded 1,000 in October and November 2025: 1,019 and 1,043 people respectively were forcibly removed by London from the UK – compared to 2,271 and 2,225 "voluntary returns."
The Labour government has been fighting against irregular immigration since coming to power. To discourage those attempting to cross the Channel—and to counter the rise of Nigel Farage's anti-immigration party—the British government has significantly tightened its immigration policy.
Read AlsoUK: Charities reject government proposal to make volunteering prerequisite to migrant settlement
Stricter policies
In addition, the UK has reduced the protection afforded to refugees, who will be "forced to return to their country of origin as soon as it is deemed safe," Home Secretary Shabanah Mahmood declared this winter. Automatic access to social benefits for asylum seekers and automatic access to family reunification have also been eliminated.
There is also a new route to indefinite leave to remain, ie residence even for those who may have been in the UK for a long time without papers. This, explained the government in October 2025, allows for the possibility to apply for residence if you can prove you have been in the UK for 20 years. However, the fact of having been there for that long, the government cautions, does not automatically guarantee you residence. It has become known as the 20 years of residence rule. Currently, if your papers are in order, you would have been able to apply for residency after five years, which the government has now extended to ten in its latest round of tighter controls.
Refugees wishing to become permanent residents more quickly "will have to work or study," the Home Office stated. They have dubbed this initiative earning the right to residency, by showing that you are integrated and contributing to society.
Read AlsoNamibia, Angola, and DRC agree to UK migrant returns after visa threats
Anti-migrant demonstrations
Last summer, numerous anti-migrant demonstrations took place outside hotels housing asylum seekers, and a far-right rally in London in mid-September drew up to 150,000 people, according to police. Among the thousands of British and English flags that flooded the city center, dozens of signs called for "an end to small boats" crossing the Channel.
In this context, the Labour government promised to reduce the number of migrants crossing the Channel in makeshift boats. So far, without success.
In 2025, 41,472 migrants arrived on British shores in small boats. This is the second highest number after the record 45,774 arrivals recorded in 2022. The five most frequent nationalities on these boats are: Eritreans, Afghans, Iranians, Sudanese and Somalis.