The UK military is focused on defending the nation rather than stopping asylum seekers from crossing the Channel, a cabinet minister has said.
US President Donald Trump suggested that military intervention could be used to deal with illegal migration to the UK during his state visit this week.
But Trade Secretary Peter Kyle has rejected that call, telling BBC Breakfast the UK Border Force has specific responsibility for policing UK borders.
Hundreds of migrants attempted to cross the Channel earlier today, as the second deportation under the government's one in, one out deal with France took place.
Six boats are believed to have set off from northern France, as smugglers take advantage of a break in the windy weather in the Channel after a week of no crossings.
On Friday morning, an Eritrean man became the second migrant to be deported under the government's deal with France after losing a High Court bid to halt his removal.
The Home Office tightened the rules around human trafficking claims to win the case.
But Trump suggested military force was a better deterrent than the Labour government's approach, which includes diplomatic negotiations and tougher court guidance.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Sir Keir Starmer, Trump stated that illegal migration destroys countries from within and argued that military action is necessary to prevent it.
Kyle countered Trump's claim by reaffirming the critical role of the Border Force, noting the navy's collaboration with it to maintain border security.
He maintained that the military is currently focused on broader global defense issues rather than migration enforcement.
The Conservative and Reform UK parties are advocating for stricter migration control, although no party has proposed military action thus far.
The Home Office has indicated plans for further deportation flights next week, aiming to discourage incoming migrants, with over 5,500 arrivals recorded since the new policy went into effect in August.
