The petition also calls for offshore detention centres to act ‘as a strong deterrent’.
Rupert Lowe’s petition calling for mass deportation of illegal migrants has passed a major milestone (Image: Getty)
A petition calling for the mass deportation of illegal migrants has passed a major milestone. The appeal has garnered more than 208,000 signatures, meaning it has passed the 100,000 threshold for Parliament to consider it for a debate. Such a discussion in the Commons is bound to draw more attention to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer‘s difficulties in tackling the issue of small boat crossings.
The petition urges the Government to look into establishing offshore detention facilities for people who enter Britain illegally in order to process them and arrange their deportation. It adds: “The UK is facing unprecedented levels of illegal migration, particularly through small boat crossings. We believe current use of hotels and temporary accommodation is unsustainable, costly and dangerous.
Rupert Lowe started the petition on Monday (Image: Getty)
“We believe that establishing offshore detention centres would act as a strong deterrent, prevent absconding, and allow for the swift processing and removal of those who enter illegally.
“We consider the detention and mass deportation of all illegal migrants in the UK is a necessity.”
Former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe started the petition less than 24 hours ago, arguing in a social media post that: “Mass deportations will save Britain”.
The MP for Great Yarmouth, speaking in the Commons, asked if a debate would be forthcoming on the reforms he said were required to deliver mass deportations.
The Leader of the House, Sir Alan Campbell MP, said he was tempted to say no, but wouldn’t because the issue was important. Sir Alan said he saw his role as securing debates and respecting the views of MPs even if those opinions were “abhorrent”.
He suggested Mr Lowe was aware of the various ways such issues can be raised in Parliament and he was resisting the temptation to recite the “very important” work the Government is doing on immigration.
Sir Alan said: “If he does seek a debate on these matters, in the usual way, then perhaps he’ll be successful.”
MPs can raise an issue in the Commons in a number of ways, including by asking a parliamentary question, applying for a short debate, asking urgent questions or raising a matter on a point of order.
News of the petition’s success comes as small boat migrants arriving in the UK face being detained and returned to France in a “one in, one out” deal between London and Paris.
The Government has also announced measures to seize boats and engines, as well as seeking to end online advertising by people smuggling gangs.
Since June 2024, the Government has returned more than 35,000 people with no right to be in the UK – a 28% increase in returns of failed asylum seekers.
This is also a 13% increase in overall returns compared with the previous year.
