- Search mouth for hidden SIM cards
The United Kingdom government has introduced sweeping new powers allowing border officials to seize mobile phones from illegal migrants without making an arrest.
The measures, which came into force on Monday, January 5, 2026, are part of a targeted crackdown on smuggling gangs coordinating small boat crossings in the English Channel.
The Home Office confirmed that the initiative launched at the Manston migrant processing centre in Kent, where specialized technology has been deployed to immediately extract and analyze data from seized devices.
Under the new Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Act, officers are authorized to require migrants to remove outer clothing, such as coats and jackets, for searches.
Most significantly, officials now have the power to check inside migrants’ mouths for hidden SIM cards or miniature communication devices.
Border Security Minister Alex Norris stated that the policy is central to “smashing the gangs” by gathering real-time intelligence on supply chains and smuggling routes.
“We promised to restore order and control to our borders, which means taking on the people-smuggling networks behind this deadly trade. These robust new laws will allow us to dismantle these vile gangs faster than ever before,” Norris said.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has described the data recovered from such devices as a “treasure trove” that could significantly accelerate investigations into criminal facilitators.
However, the Refugee Council and other human rights organizations have voiced concerns, urging that the powers be used proportionately and noting that for many vulnerable people, a mobile phone is a vital lifeline to their families.
The new legislation also introduces severe criminal penalties for those enabling illegal entry.
Storing or supplying boat engines for smuggling operations now carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison, while smugglers caught researching equipment or downloading maps for crossings face up to five years.