UK to Deploy Facial Recognition in Biggest-Ever Immigration Crackdown

The Home Office is preparing to deploy facial recognition technology at transport hubs and public events as part of the biggest immigration enforcement crackdown in British history.

Policy documents show the government has been developing a programme to deploy live facial recognition (LFR) cameras for “general immigration enforcement”, including non-criminal immigration offences.

The technology will be used to identify people “seeking to re-enter the UK unlawfully”, target those subject to removal action and to crack down on broader “immigration-related criminality”.

The Home Office states the cameras will be used to locate undocumented people so it can resolve their cases, which it says will reduce “disruption to the wider public compared to repeated enforcement visits at residential addresses or workplaces”.

The documents further suggest that people could be included on LFR watchlists for overstaying a visa without permission, or entering without leave, all of which are considered civil rather than criminal matters.

The developments are contained in a new guidance document for immigration enforcement officials published on 8 October and a data protection impact assessment made public later in the month.

Their publication follows the decision by Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, to double the budget for immigration enforcement and boost its workforce by 60% to allow “tens of thousands” more raids, arrests and deportations.

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