Policy paper

Organised Immigration Crime Summit: communiqué

Published 31 March 2025

1. Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) is a complex, transnational threat which undermines national and economic security. OIC involves organised criminal groups (OCGs) exploiting vulnerable migrants by smuggling them across borders for profit. Smuggled migrants face dangers such as suffocation in freight containers, death in deserts, or drowning at sea – all driven by criminals seeking financial profit. These groups treat human lives as commodities, disregarding their safety in the pursuit of financial gain. Evidence suggests that the global smuggling of migrants trade generates up to $10 billion of criminal profits annually. Yet, this figure likely underestimates its true scale, as its often-clandestine nature makes it difficult to detect.

2. We, Interior Ministers gathered today at the Border Security Summit: Organised Immigration Crime 2025 in London to discuss how we can better work together to tackle the rising threat of OIC. International partnerships, commitments and a united front against these criminal gangs are crucial to our success.

3. We have taken a significant step forward in strengthening our global approach to OIC. By sharing intelligence, modernising our approaches, and deepening our collaboration with partners within, across and beyond governments, we are determined to disrupt the criminals facilitating OIC at every stage of its operation until it becomes unviable. Together, we stand united in the fight against OIC, committed to protecting vulnerable migrants and bringing to justice the criminal facilitators.

Disrupting the OIC business model and its enablers

4. Criminal groups are increasingly using sophisticated methods to smuggle migrants across borders, relying on fraudulent documents, equipment, infrastructure and extensive networks to carry out these operations. We discussed how international partners can enhance the detection and disruption of OIC supply routes and enablers, including through collaboration with industry.

5. Criminal groups conducting OIC are increasingly using social media platforms and encrypted messaging services to recruit, advertise, and coordinate their illegal activities. Their ability to adapt and evade detection through these technologies poses a significant challenge to law enforcement agencies worldwide. The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology held a session, alongside experts from TikTok, X and Meta on the exploitation of the online environment by OCGs and how we can stay one step ahead. Collaboration between international governments, law enforcement agencies and industry are critical to developing effective tools and strategies to combat the use of social media to conduct OIC.

6. OIC is fuelled by financial incentives. Innovative approaches, especially in financial intelligence and international cooperation, are essential to tackling this issue effectively. We are united in our intention to tackle OIC criminal finances through all legislative and procedural routes taking a ‘follow the money’ approach, which will reduce financial incentives driving criminal gangs to exploit vulnerable people.

Sharing knowledge to strengthen our efforts

7. Learning from each other is essential for developing and refining our global strategy to address OIC. Despite the unique challenges each nation faces - shaped by geography, politics, and socioeconomic conditions - we share a common goal: protecting vulnerable populations and securing our borders.

8. International partners then exchanged insights on effective strategies, innovative policies, and valuable lessons learned from their experiences.

A unified commitment

9. Tackling OIC requires a united, determined, and sustained effort. By strengthening international partnerships, enhancing intelligence-sharing, and disrupting criminal networks, we can protect the vulnerable and secure our borders. Together, we will continue to drive meaningful action, ensuring a safer and more secure future for all.