Farage Sets Out Tough Deportation Plan for Migrants Entering UK Illegally

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Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader and prominent Brexit campaigner, has unveiled a sweeping immigration proposal aimed at tackling what he describes as an escalating crisis of illegal migrant arrivals. Speaking to the media over the weekend, Farage outlined measures that would fundamentally change the United Kingdom’s approach to border control, including mass deportations, new detention facilities, and a potential withdrawal from international human rights obligations.

Farage’s plan centres on migrants arriving through irregular channels, particularly those crossing the English Channel in small boats. He argues that such arrivals represent a breakdown in national security and place unfair pressure on public services. According to Farage, his party would remove the right of migrants to claim asylum if they entered illegally and strip them of the ability to challenge deportation through the courts. He stated that protecting the safety and welfare of British citizens, particularly women and children, must take precedence over accommodating those who breach immigration laws.

To execute the plan, Farage proposed significant logistical changes. He said Reform UK would establish detention centres on former military airbases, with capacity to hold up to 24,000 people. The scheme would cost an estimated £2.5 billion. The plan also includes running up to five deportation flights daily to return migrants to their countries of origin or safe third countries. Farage added that remote locations, such as Ascension Island in the South Atlantic, could be used as processing or removal hubs, sending a clear signal that illegal entry would not result in settlement in Britain.

Farage also said his government would pursue formal agreements with nations including Afghanistan and Eritrea to enable the return of their nationals. He stressed that this would require a tough diplomatic approach and argued that remaining bound by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) hampers effective border enforcement. As part of the policy, Reform UK would seek to withdraw the UK from the ECHR to remove legal barriers to fast-tracked removals.

These proposals come as official data show persistent challenges in controlling small-boat crossings. In 2024, approximately 37,000 migrants arrived by this route, while deportation numbers stayed comparatively low. Farage contends that this gap highlights the failure of existing policies and fuels public frustration. He described the current system as unsustainable and said his plan is designed to restore order at the border while sending a clear deterrent message.

The proposals are likely to generate sharp debate. Human rights organisations have previously criticised similar measures, warning that they risk breaching international obligations and could result in wrongful removals. Legal experts also caution that withdrawal from the ECHR would have far-reaching implications for domestic law and international standing. However, Farage maintains that decisive action is necessary and believes his party’s stance will resonate with voters who are demanding stronger controls.

With immigration remaining a defining issue in British politics, Farage’s announcement signals that Reform UK intends to make border security and enforcement a central platform. Whether the plan gains traction will depend on political momentum and public appetite for stricter measures as the country grapples with ongoing migration pressures.