New UK laws let border agents seize migrants' phones on January 4, 2026, to fight smuggling and boost deportations.

New UK laws taking effect January 4, 2026, allow border officers to seize mobile phones and SIM cards from migrants arriving by small boats without making an arrest, part of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act. The move aims to disrupt people smuggling networks by accessing digital evidence, with penalties including up to 14 years in prison for supplying boat engines. Over 41,000 migrants crossed the English Channel in 2025, a 13% increase from 2024 and 41% from 2023. The government says the measures will accelerate deportations and strengthen border control, while critics argue they fall short without leaving the European Convention on Human Rights.