The UK government’s new plan to seize mobile phones and SIM cards from asylum seekers without an arrest has drawn condemnation from campaigners and legal experts.
From Monday, individuals arriving by small boat and sent to the Manston processing centre in Kent will be subject to electronic device searches, a minister confirmed. Authorities will have on-site technology to download data and may conduct highly invasive searches, including inside detainees’ mouths for hidden devices. It is not yet confirmed whether children will also be subject to such procedures.
The policy has raised serious human rights concerns. Natasha Tsangarides, associate director at the NGO Freedom from Torture, said:
“Subjecting desperate and traumatised men, women and children to invasive searches immediately after surviving a terrifying Channel crossing is profoundly inhumane. Applying these powers indiscriminately risks treating all refugees as a security threat, showing a shocking disregard for fundamental privacy rights.”
Legal experts have also questioned whether the plan complies with a 2022 high court ruling on mobile phone seizures. Jonah Mendelsohn, a solicitor representing multiple asylum claimants, highlighted a lack of independent oversight:
“Intrusive searches and data extraction require independent authorisation and oversight to meet legal standards. It is unclear whether the legislation embeds these safeguards. Rolling out phone searches on a blanket basis risks repeating failures previously identified by the courts.”
Thousands of asylum seekers arrive in the UK via small boats each year, many traumatised and vulnerable. At Manston, officers and contractors process new arrivals and will now be able to require the removal of outer clothing or gloves for device searches. The new powers come under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, passed in December.
Officials state that mobile phone searches will help gather intelligence on migration routes and arrest people-smugglers. Alex Norris, borders minister, emphasised:
“We are implementing robust new laws to intercept, disrupt, and dismantle these vile gangs faster than ever and cut off their supply chains.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that asylum hotel closures will begin to be implemented in the coming months, and the Home Office plans to relocate the first group of asylum seekers to a military site in East Sussex soon.
The UK saw 41,472 migrants cross the Channel in 2025, marking the second-highest annual total on record. This represents a 13% increase from 2024 and a 41% increase from 2023, though still 9% below the 2022 peak of 45,774. Rising arrivals and immigration concerns are influencing political dynamics, with opinion polls showing Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party ahead in certain measures.
For asylum seekers navigating UK immigration law, including processing, detention, or rights protection, professional guidance is essential. LawSentis, a UK-based, IAA-regulated Level 3 immigration firm, offers expert advice and support to ensure compliance with legal standards and protect individual rights. Contact us today for assistance.
Source: The Guardian