Political commentator Ben Habib has called for the detention and deportation of all illegal migrants in Britain during an appearance on GBN America.
“Every single person in the United Kingdom who is here illegally should be detained and if possible, deported,” Habib stated.
He insisted that those who cannot be deported should either face repatriation or remain incarcerated.
“No one should be allowed to break into the United Kingdom and stay here free of charge and indeed in many, many cases at the cost of our generosity,” he added.
Ben Habib is concerned about the undocumented number of illegal migrants in Britain
GBN AMERICA / PA
Habib said such a task would not be simple due to the high level of undocumented illegal migrants in Britain.
He estimated there are around 1.2 million illegal migrants currently, adding the exact figures are difficult to determine.
A new study commissioned by Thames Water has revealed that up to 585,000 illegal migrants could be living in London, representing one in every 12 people in the capital.
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The research, conducted by Leeds University and Edge Analytics experts, estimated between 390,355 and 585,533 illegal migrants in London, with a median figure of 487,944.
The study suggests most illegal migrants initially arrived on work, study or visitor visas before overstaying.
The findings were obtained through Freedom of Information requests to Thames Water, who commissioned the research to better understand their “hidden” service users.
The analysis indicates around one million illegal migrants could be living in the entire UK, with 60 percent concentrated in London.
Ben Habib spoke on GBN America
GBN AMERICA
Deputy Reform UK leader Richard Tice called the situation “totally unacceptable,” noting illegal migrants were likely using taxpayer-funded infrastructure and services.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp branded the figures “deeply alarming” and urged the Labour government to “urgently start deporting far more illegal immigrants.”
Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf warned the situation represents “not just a national emergency, it’s a national security emergency.”
Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch, said the population underestimate would put “severe pressure” on utilities, housing, the NHS, GP surgeries and schools.
Human rights lawyer Ivon Sampson’s call for an amnesty was strongly rejected by Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, who instead suggested placing migrants in “uncomfortable, untented camps” on remote islands.
The Home Office reports having removed 16,400 illegal migrants in the past six months, marking the highest deportation figure in half a decade.
More than 1,000 people have already crossed the Channel in small boats during the first 23 days of 2025.
This follows 38,816 Channel crossings in 2024, the second highest total on record.
A Home Office spokesman said: “This Government is strengthening global partnerships and rooting out the criminal gangs who profit from small boat crossings which threaten lives.”
The Home Office has never produced formal figures on the total number of illegal migrants in Britain.
