FCDO announces world's first sanctions regime targeting irregular migration gangs
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has introduced a new sanctions regime targeting people smuggling and irregular migration, effective from 23 July 2025. The regime, created under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act, enables asset freezes, UK travel bans and director disqualifications for those involved in facilitating irregular migration. Secondary legislation establishing the Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons sanctions regime has been laid before Parliament, with the first wave of sanctions to be imposed immediately. The regime will complement new powers being introduced in the Border, Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.