Kent County Council is set to vote on declaring an “illegal migration emergency” this week in what could become the first such move by a local authority in the United Kingdom.
The proposal, put forward by the council’s governing Reform UK group, argues that Kent sits on the frontline of Channel crossings, with thousands of migrants arriving on its shores each year. Councillors backing the proposal say the pressure on housing, social care, and public finances has reached unsustainable levels.
Council leader Linden Kemkaran has been outspoken on the issue, stating: “Illegal small boat crossings are not a distant problem for Kent. Our residents see the consequences every single day. As Leader of Reform in KCC, I refuse to sit back and do nothing.” In a separate statement, she added: “We are a nation in crisis with a government in denial.”
The proposal also raises security concerns, warning that small boat arrivals may include individuals linked to extremist groups such as Islamic State or al-Qaeda.
Recent figures highlight the scale of the issue. In 2025 alone, more than 41,000 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats, with a further 23,000 arrivals recorded during the first six months of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s term. This equates to a daily average of 117 arrivals.
The motion also draws attention to the legal obligations placed on local authorities, particularly in caring for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Councillors note that while government funding exists, it diminishes as individuals reach adulthood and does not fully cover long-term costs.
Cultural concerns are also highlighted in the report, which states that many arrivals come from regions with significantly different social norms and values, including places where “extreme violence is common” and “honour killings are rife.”
