Trump Warns Starmer on Immigration, Calls Britain's Move "Fantastic"

Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, stating that Britain's efforts to curb immigration are "fantastic" but expressing concern that "bad people" may be arriving on small boats. The meeting took place at Trump's golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, where the two leaders discussed the conflict in Gaza and immigration policies. Trump praised Britain's stance on immigration, warning that Europe has become a "different place" over the past five years and urging the UK to continue taking a strong stance against illegal immigration.

Key Takeaways:

• Trump praised Britain's efforts to curb immigration, calling them "fantastic" and stating that they are doing a "good thing" by reducing the number of people arriving on small boats.
• Trump expressed concern that "bad people" are arriving on small boats, including murderers, drug dealers, and other individuals that European countries do not want.
• The Prime Minister has taken an increasingly hard line on immigration after Reform UK made gains in local elections in May.
• Sir Keir announced that the Government would share the locations of asylum accommodation with food delivery firms to tackle the issue of asylum seekers working illegally.
• Around 32,000 asylum seekers are being housed in approximately 210 hotels, according to the latest Home Office data from March.
• The number of asylum seekers housed in hotels has decreased from 56,000 at 400 hotels in September 2023, but the cost remains high at £9 million a day.
• Trump stated that while he does not mind Sir Keir taking a position on formally recognizing Palestine as a state, he himself would not do so and prioritizes getting food into Gaza.

Statistics:

• Almost 24,000 people have arrived on small boats in the UK in 2025, according to Home Office provisional statistics.
• 32,000 asylum seekers are being housed in approximately 210 hotels, according to Home Office data from March.
• The number of asylum seekers housed in hotels peaked at 56,000 at 400 hotels in September 2023.
• The cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels remains high at £9 million a day.

Sources:

• "Donald Trump warns Keir Starmer: 'Bad people' are arriving in Britain on small boats" by Dominic Penna and Genevieve Holl-Allen, The Telegraph