One of the 32 illegal immigrants and foreign criminals who were expelled from the UK today on a charter jet to the Balkan state is an Albanian guy who just crossed the Channel three and a half weeks ago.
A “rapid removal” plan was recently unveiled by Home Secretary Priti Patel in response to the spike in Albanian migrant crossings of the English Channel.
According to Home Office authorities, more than 6,000 Albanians have entered the country so far this year in shoddy dinghies and rigid inflatables, up from less than 900 in each of the three years before.
According to MailOnline, today’s removals are an example of “stepped up attempts” to expedite removals rather than being a part of the new fast-track deportation plan, which is not yet in place.
Any Albanians who apply for asylum will have their applications evaluated straight away under this programme, but those who do not have legal authorization to be in the UK will be deported as quickly as possible, with some perhaps being sent back “within hours.”
Other people deported today included a tourist who overstayed their visa and was discovered by immigration police working in a restaurant, as well as a person who came in May while hiding inside a vehicle.
The 27 foreign national offenders who were expelled had been found guilty of crimes including the distribution of Class A narcotics, aiding illegal entrance, and sexual offences and had earned total jail terms of more than 87 years.
“Today’s flight sends a clear message to those who disobey our laws and immigration norms that you will be immediately removed,” Ms. Patel said in reference to the trip.
“Anyone who enters our nation on a tiny boat or by another risky, illegal route shouldn’t plan on staying for very long.”
In order to combat illegal immigration, “We are closely collaborating with the Albanian Government. This week, we agreed on our combined operational measures to speed up the repatriation of Albanians who enter the UK unlawfully using small boats.”
This will assist in breaking the pattern of last-minute claims and appeals that may prolong removals, together with provisions in our Nationality and Borders Act. The public has a right to expect us to do all in our power to remove people who have no business being here.
It follows reports that Albanian crime lords are transporting unpunished “cleanskins” to the UK on tiny boats so they may join organised gangs.
According to insiders, criminal background checks on Channel newcomers often miss ties to certain entrants and organised crime organisations.
In order to pay off debts they owe to people traffickers, officials believe that immigrants with no prior convictions are being dragged into serious criminality, such drug gangs. This poses a tremendous danger to the British public.
The phrase “Cleanskins” was first used by security forces in Northern Ireland to refer to the recruiting of terrorists by the IRA and Loyalist paramilitaries who had no prior criminal history.
This week, it was also revealed that Albanian migrants travelling over the Channel would soon be greeted at Dover by law enforcement officials from their own nation to check on their criminal histories.
“Today’s flight sends a clear message to those who disobey our laws and immigration norms that you will be immediately removed,” Ms. Patel said in reference to the trip.
By comparing migrant fingerprints and other biometric data to their own databases, Albanian police will help UK border authorities.
On Tuesday, representatives from the Home Office and the Albanian Police met to discuss a proposal for the stationing of Albanian police at British ports.
According to government sources, the scheme would enable the UK to recognise and deport individuals who are not “conducive to the public interest.”
The Home Office has undertaken 45 flights this year as part of its attempts to combat unlawful immigration and asylum system misuse.
Nearly 1,000 foreign criminals from Albania, including those who crossed the Channel illegally to enter the UK, have been deported since the signing of a historic agreement with Albania last year.
Since January 1, the UK has deported 7,638 individuals, including 1,995 criminal foreign nationals, through coercive, voluntary, and alternative return methods.
220 felons were expelled from the UK last month alone on charter and scheduled flights.