Technology would help to identify potential terrorists among migrants, says UK anti-terrorism adviser.

Ministers in the UK are set to be advised to use live AI facial recognition technology to screen migrants arriving at the UK’s borders for potential security threats, according to Jonathan Hall KC, the UK’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation. In his upcoming annual report, Hall will recommend that the Government implement this technology at migrant processing centers in Kent, including the Western Jet Foil and Manston facilities.

Hall explained that the use of AI could help border officers compare migrants against a database of known terror suspects as they disembark from boats. This move aims to address concerns over security checks at a time when migrant facilities are increasingly overwhelmed by large numbers of arrivals.

He described the situation at Manston, the main migrant processing center, where processing had become so overwhelmed that some migrants were released before full security checks could be completed. “If lots of people arrive on the same day, counterterrorism officers struggle to screen them all effectively,” Hall said in an interview with LBC.

The AI-based facial recognition system would enable officers to instantly flag anyone who appears on watch lists of suspected terrorists. Hall’s report will suggest that this system be used at the Western Jet Foil facility, which processes migrants before they are sent to larger camps. He emphasized that this would enhance security while helping maintain humane conditions for those arriving.

Hall also pointed out that the sheer number of crossings, more than 6,200 people since the beginning of the year, has stretched resources. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to “stop the boats” has become a central issue in his leadership, though the Government’s proposed plan to deport some migrants to Rwanda is facing delays in Parliament.