New ‘secure site’ opened for channel arrivals, says home office

The home office has confirmed that part of the ministry of defence site at Manston, Kent will be used as a processing site for illegal migrants by January 2022.

The new, secure site will be able to hold migrants for up to 5 days as security and identity checks are completed

Over 25,000 people are believed to have crossed the Channel by boat this year. In 2019 the figure was below 2000.

Minister for justice and tackling illegal migration, Tom Pursglove said in light of today’s announcement:

“We are overhauling our broken asylum system to ensure people smugglers can’t profit from this vile trade. This new site will provide safe and secure accommodation for illegal migrants whilst the government carries out necessary checks. It is only our New Plan for Immigration which will reform the system and build one which is fair on those who play by the rules, and firm on those who do not.”

The government claims its “New Plan for Immigration (NPI) is the only credible long-term plan to fix the broken asylum system and bring the exploitation by criminal gangs to an end.”

They argyles that the  NPI will reduce the pull factor of the UK by making it more difficult for illegal migrants to remain here. It will also see a move away from “unsustainable” hotel accommodation towards dedicated reception centres.