BORDERPOL event focused on stronger migration laws and management

BORDERPOL Annual Conference is a high-level, two-day event that will discuss and debate current and future policies, implementation issues and challenges as well as new and developing technologies that contribute towards safe and secure border and migration management. It began in London on October 16 and runs through the 18th.

Tony Smith, Interim Head of the UK Border Force joined the new UK Immigration Minister Mark Harper, alongside Jason Kenney, Canada’s Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism as opening keynote speakers.

Minister Kenney spoke about Canada’s efforts to: introduce stronger laws to combat human smuggling and reforms to deter unfounded refugee claims and other abuses of the refugee determination system.

“The first responsibility of the state is to protect the safety and security of its citizens,” Minister Kenney said during his keynote address. “By developing laws, policies, and practices that make our immigration system more secure, we believe we are helping to ensure continuing support for that system.”

Kenney also spoke about cracking down on immigration fraud, new proposed legislation that would allow Canada to remove foreign criminals more quickly by limiting appeal mechanisms, proposed tougher penalties for those who commit immigration fraud, and the introduction of biometric screening of visitors to Canada.

Thomas Tass, Executive Director of BORDERPOL, said: “BORDERPOL is delighted and honored to be welcoming such a high profile line up of international speakers and delegates to London. The inaugural BORDERPOL Conference & Exhibition will deliver great debate and discussion of the future of border management and protection and I’m confident it is set to become one of the most important annual events in the border control calendar.”

The conference is anticipated to deliver excellent thought provoking discussion and debate on the future of international border management and protection.

Controlling and managing international borders in the twentieth-first century continues to challenge border control and immigration agencies around the world. It is generally agreed that in a globalized world that borders should be as open as possible, yet threats continue to remain.

Advancements in technology are assisting in the battle to maintain safe and secure international travel. Border security professionals still remain the front line against these threats.

The conference program will cover key issues from policy challenges and inter-agency co-operation to the protection of Europe’s frontiers, as well as a panel discussion on successes and failures of the Schengen Area.

Article Topics

access control  |  biometrics  |  biometrics events  |  border control  |  border security  |  government  |  homeland security  |  immigration control  |  law enforcement  |  military  |  Schengen visas