U.S. President Donald Trump has called on new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take decisive action against illegal migration, warning that unchecked crossings are “killing” the UK.
The warning comes as small boat arrivals across the English Channel show no sign of slowing. According to Home Office data, Burnham’s first week in Downing Street saw 172 arrivals on Wednesday, followed by 366 across three boats on Thursday, and a further 103 on Friday.
Reported figures indicate over 500 migrants crossed into British waters in a single day, launched by people smugglers from 11 small craft along a stretch of coastline extending from Belgium down to the French port of Dieppe.
In an interview with GB News, Trump stated that immigration was an issue the new Prime Minister could no longer ignore, arguing that former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had done “very little about it”.
“He’s going to have to mention it because it’s killing your country,” Trump said.
“They’re coming from Africa. They’re coming from South America. They’re coming from different parts of Asia.
“They’re invading Europe,” he warned, adding: “It’s an invasion, and the UK is a prime suspect.”
The Prime Minister’s office continues to face intense scrutiny over its strategy for managing asylum seekers. Downing Street confirmed that the Home Office is progressing with plans regarding asylum accommodation, with a spokesman noting that “work on that continues” without operational changes.
Despite broader political differences, early contacts between London and Washington have remained stable. Trump described a recent introductory phone call with Burnham as “interesting, and went very well”, adding: “I wished Prime Minister Burnham, GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED!” He noted on Burnham’s first day that the UK leader faced a “big job ahead of him”.