The UK has revised laws to severely punish illegal immigrants who advertise online to help them enter the country

The British government plans to tighten laws and severely punish human trafficking gangs that use social media to advertise to illegal immigrants and provide illegal entry services to the UK. Those convicted could face up to five years in prison.

According to Reuters, the British Labour government is facing huge political and public pressure to reduce the number of immigrants illegally entering the country by small boat from France. More than 25,000 people have illegally entered the UK from France so far this year.

Analysis by the UK Home Office shows that about 80% of illegal immigrants who arrived in the UK by small boat had sought out or contacted human trafficking gangs through social media.

Under a new law under review by Congress, individuals who post online advertisements promoting illegal entry services will face fines and a maximum of five years in prison.

Assisting illegal immigrants to enter the UK is already an illegal act. The Labour government said that the amendment would provide law enforcement agencies with another means to crack down on criminal gangs that profit from illegal immigration activities.

In July, the UK government introduced a new sanctions mechanism, imposing asset freezes, travel bans and a ban on using the UK's financial system on individuals and entities involved in assisting illegal immigrants to enter the country.