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Written question asked by Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 18 March 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 April 2021. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Thursday, 1 April 2021 on behalf of the Home Office.

Common Travel Area: Undocumented Migrants

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what monitoring arrangements are in place to ensure that the law relating to entry to, and departure from, the UK of non-UK citizens is enforced in the Common Travel Area.

Answer

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from within the CTA, with no immigration checks whatsoever on the Northern Ireland-Ireland land border. However, everyone entering the UK, regardless of where they enter from, is required to meet UK immigration framework. The UK does conduct intelligence-led controls on CTA routes, including away from the land border in Northern Ireland. This is to detect those who intend to abuse CTA arrangements. Anyone identified attempting to circumvent UK border controls is liable to be removed, if they are not lawfully present within the UK.

We also work closely with Ireland to secure the external CTA border, including data sharing and operational co-operation.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL14378
Session
2019-21
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Enforcement Undocumented migrants Common travel area
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk