Watch: People smuggler tracked down and confronted by BBC

Twana Jamal, a convicted people smuggler who has been labeled the “godfather” of the migrant camps in France, is currently living and working in Leicestershire. A BBC investigation has uncovered that Jamal, despite his criminal record, appears to be seeking asylum in the UK.

Jamal received a five-year prison sentence in France back in 2016. Earlier this year, following a tip-off, the BBC tracked him down to the town of Blaby in Leicestershire. There, investigators observed him working without authorization, driving without a valid license, and seemingly using an alias.

Authorities across mainland Europe have also informed the BBC that at least 15 other convicted people smugglers are now residing in the UK under false identities. This revelation raises doubts about the effectiveness of current border control measures in identifying asylum seekers who have committed serious offenses prior to arriving in the UK.

Responding to these concerns, the Home Office emphasized that every asylum applicant undergoes mandatory security checks to verify their identity and conduct immigration, security, and criminality screenings. They also highlighted the existence of various agreements with other countries to facilitate the exchange of criminal record information. The Home Office further stated that enforcement actions related to immigration are presently at their highest levels ever recorded

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More