Border Patrol Profiteers and the Colonial Underbelly of 'Control'
📰 THE STORY: Mainstream outlets report that five UK immigration officers face charges of conspiring to steal from migrants arriving via small boats, with allegations including theft of cash and mobile phones. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: This incident echoes the historical patterns of colonial powers exploiting the vulnerable, particularly in border territories. For
instance, the British Empire's use of indentured servitude and forced labor across its colonies for centuries—from the 17th to the early 20th century—was predicated on dehumanizing and extracting wealth from subjugated populations. This alleged robbery fits a pattern of state agents preying on those deemed less than human by the system. Double Standard: While two years was spent on investigations
into corruption within border forces, the media's focus generally shifts to 'migrant crises' and 'illegal crossings' rather than the systemic dehumanization that enables such abuse. Contrast this with the swift, often sensationalized, condemnation of petty crimes committed by migrants themselves, which are frequently used to justify stricter, harsher border policies and increased surveillance. The
'crime' of seeking asylum is amplified, while the crimes committed against asylum seekers by state agents are framed as isolated incidents. Follow the Money: The UK's asylum system is a multi-billion-pound industry. Companies like Serco and Mears Group have secured contracts worth hundreds of millions (e.g., Serco's ÂŁ1.9 billion Home Office contract awarded in 2019 for asylum accommodation and