A Courier Hub for Illegal Migrants and a Failure of Policy

Last week, I visited an asylum hotel in London following reports of illegal immigrants working as couriers for major delivery platforms. The findings confirmed the reports, revealing a hotel that appeared to have become a courier hub for illegal migrants. This operation is funded by taxpayers and operates under the watch of the current government. This situation highlights the system that has been allowed to deteriorate. The promise to end the use of asylum hotels has not been fulfilled. The number of people housed in hotel rooms has increased since the government took office, now exceeding 32,000. This represents a large-scale violation of rules, financed by the public. Each time a courier bag is sealed in these taxpayer-funded hotels, it undermines the government's credibility.

It is illegal for asylum seekers to work, for companies to hire them, and to use someone else's identification to pass a right-to-work check. Despite this, platforms are overlooking these issues, and enforcement is lacking. When illegal migrants are housed in taxpayer-funded hotels, provided with meals and services, and can illegally access work through gig economy platforms, it sends a message that Britain's borders are open. This demonstrates the real-world consequences of policy. If people see that arrival is followed by housing, support, and the opportunity to earn money, regardless of immigration status, it becomes impossible to implement the system the British people need and want. This creates the very pull factor the government should be eliminating.

The Home Office must take action by cracking down on companies that ignore the law, removing illegal workers from platforms, auditing asylum hotels for this issue, and acknowledging the problem. Without enforcement, promises are meaningless. Unless the current government changes course, the incentives for illegal immigration will remain. If individuals abuse our hospitality and commit crimes, they forfeit their right to stay and must be deported. The Conservative Party introduced a Deportation Bill, which the opposition has twice voted against. This bill aimed to remove every illegal migrant in Britain, but it was blocked. It is time to end this situation and prioritize law-abiding citizens.