Launching the 'call for evidence', David Bolt said:
I am calling on anyone with relevant knowledge, expertise or first-hand experience of the efficiency and effectiveness of the Home Office's identification and handling of irregular arrivals and entrants to write to me with their evidence.
In my 2019-20 Inspection Plan, I indicated that I would be carrying out an inspection of the Home Office's handling and identification of "clandestine entrants". However, I am aware that the term "clandestine entrant" is problematic, and "irregular arrival" and "irregular entrant" more neutrally and more accurately describes those who fall within the intended scope of my inspection.
My inspection will look at the Home Office's planning and actions for dealing with migrants seeking to enter the UK without entry clearance who arrive either by "small boat" or concealed in a vehicle, including those who are first encountered by the Home Office in the UK beyond their port of entry.
The inspection will focus on:
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Efforts by Border Force to prevent irregular departures from the European mainland, including through co-operation with and support for European law enforcement agencies and "upstream" border security measures
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The response, since late 2018, to the arrivals of irregular migrants in "small boat" and the impact this has had on other priorities and planned activities
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Progress made towards implementing the recommendations from the ICIBI's 2016 report 'A short notice inspection of the Home Office response to 'lorry drops'', published in July 2016
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The current response to "lorry drops"
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Contingency plans for dealing with any surge in arrivals, either via "small boats" or "lorry drops" or both.
While I am interested in receiving specific examples, please note that my remit does not extend to investigating or making decisions about individual cases. This remains a Home Office responsibility.
