So far this year more than 18,000 people have crossed the English Channel and it has been claimed that Vladimir Putin is providing fake documentation and the Russian leader is transporting migrants to people smugglers.
Senior security sources told The Sun that hostile states are helping people smugglers to destabilise the UK, which is what Nigel Farage warned about “over ten years ago.”
This week NATO officials have warned that illegal immigration is now a serious threat and defence spending can now be used to protect borders.
A senior security source told The Sun, “Hostile states and malign actors are using illegal migration to test borders, cause disruption and destabilise countries like Britain.
“That’s exactly why Nato is now treating border protection as a core part of collective defence — because the lines between traditional military threats and national security are more blurred than ever.”
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said, “National security is the first duty of any government — and that means securing our borders.
“We are improving our ability to monitor and anticipate illegal migration flows at national and international levels, including investing in new state-of-the-art surveillance tech.
“Our Border Security Command is bringing together security operations at our borders.
“This means working closely with Europol, Frontex and EU member states to fight organised immigration crime.
“New counter-terror-style powers will tackle the gangs, and existing measures will make sure identity and criminal record checks are carried out on all who arrive by visa, clandestine entry or small boat — so that any potential threats can be immediately dealt with.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “This is a national security crisis. A public safety crisis and a border security crisis.
“The news that hostile states are weaponising illegal migration shows the Government has been negligent in failing to tackle the boat crisis.
“The way to stop it is to immediately remove illegal immigrants to a location outside Europe.
“But Labour scrapped the Rwanda deterrent before it even started and now record numbers are coming in.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said, “I first warned this would happen in my European Parliament speeches over ten years ago.
“The crossings are a national security emergency.”
