Which country has introduced the world’s first sanctions regime to combat irregular migration in January 2025?

Explanation

– The United Kingdom introduced this sanctions regime in January 2025, targeting people-smuggling networks facilitating irregular migration.
– It marked a novel use of sanctions tools, traditionally reserved for state actors or terrorism-related targets, applied instead to migrant smuggling facilitators.
– The move came amid ongoing UK political debate over irregular Channel crossings from continental Europe.
– The sanctions allow for asset freezes and travel bans against designated individuals and organizations.