The UK government plans to ban social media adverts that encourage asylum seekers to cross the Channel in small boats. Under new laws, those who post such content could face up to five years in prison and large fines.
While helping people enter the UK illegally is already a crime, the new rules will specifically target online posts that promote services breaking immigration laws. This includes ads for small boat crossings, fake passports, visas, and offers of illegal work in the UK.
The change will be introduced through an amendment to the border security bill, which is nearing final approval in the House of Lords.
Home Office data shows that 80% of migrants arriving by small boat admitted using social media during their journey—often to contact smugglers. The government aims to stop smugglers from misleading desperate asylum seekers with false promises of life in the UK by making such online posts illegal.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Exploiting vulnerable people by selling them lies about safe journeys and opportunities in the UK—just to make money—is utterly immoral. These criminals recklessly endanger lives with their brazen social media tactics, and we will do everything possible to shut them down, no matter where they operate.”
The new law will also criminalise online posts that encourage others to break immigration laws for payment.
Rob Jones of the National Crime Agency (NCA) added: “Smuggling networks often use social media to advertise their services, and most migrants arriving illegally have interacted with them online.”
The NCA has already targeted gangs using social media to promote crossings. One group, based in south Wales, was convicted in November 2024 after smuggling thousands of people across Europe. They used videos of successful crossings to attract more customers.
Another smuggler, Amanj Hasan Zada from Preston, posted videos of migrants thanking him for his help before being jailed for 17 years.
Albanian smugglers have also offered £12,000 “package deals” on social media, including travel, accommodation, and jobs—all of which will now be illegal under the new law.
