Reform UK has pledged to stop illegal migrants exploiting the Common Travel Area to enter Northern Ireland from the Republic.
Speaking at the DUP conference today, Danny Kruger will warn that the soft Irish border - a hard-won part of the peace process - is increasingly being abused as a backdoor into the United Kingdom.
“Illegal and unvetted dangerous criminals who cross into Northern Ireland are abusing the soft Irish border, using it as a backdoor route into the UK”, Kruger is expected to say.
“The absence of checkpoints at the border does not remove the requirement to have a right to enter.”
Under plans announced by Reform UK, immigration enforcement officers would conduct regular spot checks at coach and railway terminals in Belfast, Newry, Banbridge and Sprucefield.
Bus and rail companies would face a civil penalty of £10,000 for every illegal immigrant they transport into Northern Ireland. The money raised would be used to fund deportations and strengthen border enforcement.
“Almost all illegal movement from the Republic into Northern Ireland is by scheduled coach or train, arriving at a handful of terminals”, Kruger will say.
“This is not a border check; it will be for operators to determine their own approach. The £10,000 fine will fund the deportation of illegal migrants and further border enforcement.”
Reform is also calling on Dublin to share more information with the Home Office, including details of asylum seekers who have absconded, and to prevent non-British and non-Irish citizens without permission to enter the UK from boarding northbound public transport at Dublin Airport.
Kruger will say: “The Common Travel Area and soft border is a hard-won compromise after decades of conflict. This pillar of the peace process is now being exploited by illegal migrants seeking to break into Britain.”
He will also recommit a future Reform government to removing the border in the Irish Sea and restoring Northern Ireland’s full place within the United Kingdom.
Speaking at the DUP conference today, Danny Kruger will warn that the soft Irish border - a hard-won part of the peace process - is increasingly being abused as a backdoor into the United Kingdom.
“Illegal and unvetted dangerous criminals who cross into Northern Ireland are abusing the soft Irish border, using it as a backdoor route into the UK”, Kruger is expected to say.
“The absence of checkpoints at the border does not remove the requirement to have a right to enter.”
Under plans announced by Reform UK, immigration enforcement officers would conduct regular spot checks at coach and railway terminals in Belfast, Newry, Banbridge and Sprucefield.
Bus and rail companies would face a civil penalty of £10,000 for every illegal immigrant they transport into Northern Ireland. The money raised would be used to fund deportations and strengthen border enforcement.
“Almost all illegal movement from the Republic into Northern Ireland is by scheduled coach or train, arriving at a handful of terminals”, Kruger will say.
“This is not a border check; it will be for operators to determine their own approach. The £10,000 fine will fund the deportation of illegal migrants and further border enforcement.”
Reform is also calling on Dublin to share more information with the Home Office, including details of asylum seekers who have absconded, and to prevent non-British and non-Irish citizens without permission to enter the UK from boarding northbound public transport at Dublin Airport.
Kruger will say: “The Common Travel Area and soft border is a hard-won compromise after decades of conflict. This pillar of the peace process is now being exploited by illegal migrants seeking to break into Britain.”
He will also recommit a future Reform government to removing the border in the Irish Sea and restoring Northern Ireland’s full place within the United Kingdom.
