Trump Says Illegal Immigration Is Killing UK, Warns PM Burnham

(Donald Trump. Photo by Punch News)

US President Donald Trump has warned that illegal immigration is "killing" the UK and has called on British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to address the problem.

Trump stated that Burnham will eventually have to deal with immigration, despite initially avoiding the topic after taking office, in an interview with an internet news outlet on Wednesday.

He added that Burnham's predecessor had done very little about it while migrants continued to arrive from all over the world, including Africa, South America, and other parts of Asia, and that Burnham would have to bring it up since it was killing the country.

He referred to the situation as "an invasion" of Europe and called the United Kingdom "a prime suspect."

Trump's remarks came hours after more than 500 migrants crossed the English Channel into Britain, according to the report.

The platform said the arrivals reached British waters after people smugglers launched 11 small boats from several points along the French and Belgian coasts, with departures reported from beaches stretching from Belgium to the French port of Dieppe.

His comments also came as Burnham's government continued to face questions over its plans for dealing with asylum seekers.

Asked earlier in the week whether the Prime Minister wanted asylum hotels closed, a Downing Street spokesman said work on the matter continued, with no change to the ongoing efforts being carried out by the Home Secretary's department.

According to Home Office figures cited in the report, 172 people crossed the Channel on the Wednesday of Burnham's first week in office, followed by 366 people in three boats the next day and a further 103 on the Friday.

Trump also reflected on his early interactions with the new British leader, saying Burnham faced significant challenges ahead.

On Burnham's first day in Downing Street, Trump said the British leader had a big job ahead of him. He also described a recent phone conversation between them as interesting and one that went very well, saying he had wished the Prime Minister good luck and godspeed.

The report said the two leaders had maintained relatively stable relations in Burnham's opening weeks in office, although North Sea oil drilling had emerged as a potential point of disagreement.

The day before Burnham succeeded former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Trump had urged him to expand North Sea oil drilling, saying it would transform the United Kingdom from what he called a poverty-stricken disaster into one of the richest countries in the world.

The report further noted that sources in Washington had expressed concern over Burnham's appointment of Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary, citing his past criticisms of Trump.

It added that efforts to strengthen UK-US relations were continuing behind the scenes, while Burnham had maintained Britain's policy of allowing US forces to use British military bases for what the government described as defensive strikes linked to the conflict involving Iran.

Reporter points out to Trump that the newly installed UK PM Andy Burnham hasn't even mentioned immigration since coming to office.

Trump slams Starmer for doing nothing and goes on to call it what it is, an invasion! pic.twitter.com/A3gEKu1AN9

— Selwyn Gold (@SelwnGold12814) July 29, 2026