The Daily Mail reported that the new measure targets migrants who attempt to re-enter the European island by "irregular routes," such as using small boats. The goal is to send a strong message to those who may try to cross the Channel illegally.
The new bill would also prevent anyone attempting to enter the country illegally from attaining British citizenship, or securing a permanent residence in the UK.
Former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), Henry Bolton, took to Twitter on Monday, saying: "I’m looking forward to seeing the Illegal Migration Bill. It’ll restrict use of the Human Rights Act by economic migrants arriving illegally, and some claimants may only be allowed to appeal after removal from the UK. But we’ve been here before. Laws alone will not stop the boats."
A government source shared with the Daily Mail: "This new Bill, if passed by Parliament, will mean that if you come here illegally, not only will you be swiftly removed from the UK, but you will never be able to come back."
"It is bad enough that illegal migrants currently abuse our asylum system to frustrate their removal. But it is far worse that they can currently settle here permanently and apply to become a citizen. The ability to settle in this country and become a British citizen is not a human right, it is a privilege - which is why we will ban illegal migrants from ever coming back to the U.K. after we have removed them," that source continued.
The Guardian reported that the bill is not limited to illegal migrants, but also to those arriving on small boats claiming asylum.
Sunak, who has made this issue one of his top five pledges to voters, told the Mail over the weekend: "Illegal migration is not fair on British taxpayers, it is not fair on those who come here legally and it is not right that criminal gangs should be allowed to continue their immoral trade."
"I am determined to deliver on my promise to stop the boats. So make no mistake, if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay."
Current rules in the UK allow a re-entry ban of two or five years, depending on the severity of the circumstance. There is also a ten-year ban that can be handed down on foreign offenders. However, the new bill would dramatically increase the penalty, including a lifetime ban on entering the country, even as a visitor.
The bill is scheduled to be published amid a summit between Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday. The Mail reported that it is thought that Sunak will attempt to increase beach patrols in an effort to stifle migrants from leaving French shores.
Almost 46,000 migrants crossed the Channel by small boat in 2022, as opposed to 28,500 spotted doing the same thing in 2021. There are ministers in the U.K. who fear that the number could climb as high as 80,000 in 2023, according to The Mail.
