Labour's new bill retains controversial ban on slavery protections for migrants

In the United Kingdom, Labour's recent border legislation aims to address the ongoing crisis of small boat crossings. Despite their previous opposition to the Tory government's Illegal Migration Act, the current proposal under Sir Keir Starmer will not reverse key prohibitions included in the past legislation. Most notably, it maintains the ban preventing illegal migrants from accessing modern slavery protections. This measure has faced significant criticism for obstructing the support system designed for victims of trafficking who enter the UK without proper documentation. Furthermore, the new law would empower authorities to detain child migrants and allow agents to conduct personal searches on individuals arriving through these perilous journeys. The legislation, part of a larger effort to combat people smuggling, introduces extensive powers for law enforcement agencies, enabling them to seize assets and gather intelligence from mobile devices. Starmer's administration asserts that these changes are necessary to tackle the criminal networks responsible for human trafficking and illegal crossings. However, critics like Jess Phillips argue that the bill effectively endangers victims of modern slavery by separating them from available support mechanisms. This critical stance stems from the belief that the restriction on slavery protections represents a regression in safeguarding the rights of vulnerable individuals. The challenges facing child migrants are also heightened under this proposed law, which allows their detention to extend to 28 days under certain circumstances. This aspect is a continuation of policies from the previous government, reflecting ongoing debates about the treatment of minors in immigration frameworks. While intended to disrupt human trafficking, such measures may inadvertently foster greater risks for children fleeing dangerous circumstances. Overall, the new legislation reflects a complex interplay between border security objectives and the protection of human rights. Officials have highlighted the necessity of these laws to curb organized immigration crime, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government calls these reforms a cornerstone of their broader strategy to enhance border security. Critics argue that the measures compromise both human dignity and statutory protections, a predicament illustrated by the insistence on retaining controversial practices from previous administrations.