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Emigration and immigration

Securitization of Borders and the Regulation of Labour under Neoliberal Capitalism

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The British government's proposed Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill has been criticized by researchers for further criminalizing asylum seekers and conflating immigration law with criminal law. The bill aims to create a new border agency, modeled after the US Department of Homeland Security, which would be responsible for enforcing immigration laws and combating terrorism. However, critics argue that this move is part of a larger project to securitize borders and regulate the movement of labour under neoliberal capitalism.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed bill would create a new range of criminal offenses for asylum seekers, including those who use "irregular routes" to seek safety, effectively conflating immigration law with criminal law.
  • The bill aims to create a new Border and Security Command, modeled after the US Department of Homeland Security, which would be responsible for enforcing immigration laws and combating terrorism.
  • Critics argue that the bill is part of a larger project to securitize borders and regulate the movement of labour under neoliberal capitalism.
  • The movement of people is determined by the labour demands of capital, and racialized borders are crucial to regulate the movement of labour.
  • Neoliberal states have long racialized surplus populations who are deemed to be without market value.
  • The securitization of borders is seen as a "fix" for the multiple crises facing contemporary capitalism.

Statistics:

  • The number of asylum seekers in the UK who would be criminalized under the proposed bill is not specified.
  • The proposed bill would create a new range of criminal offenses, including those related to immigration.
  • The new Border and Security Command would be responsible for enforcing immigration laws and combating terrorism.
  • The movement of people into the UK is driven by the labour demands of capital, with racialized borders serving to regulate this movement.

Sources:

  • From 'stop the Boats' To 'smash the Gangs': Migration and Securitisation In Contemporary Capitalism (2025), published in Race & Class.
  • NewsRx. Findings from Goldsmiths University Provide New Insights into Economics (From 'stop the Boats' To 'smash the Gangs': Migration and Securitisation In Contemporary Capitalism). Bioterrorism Week. June 9, 2025; p 400.

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