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 the smugglers make the most of a break in the windy weather in the Channel. There had been no crossings for a week before then due to choppy seas.
On Friday morning, an Eritrean man became the second migrant to be deported under the government's deal with France.
Trump suggested military force was a better deterrent than the Labour government's approach of diplomatic negotiations. He emphasized that illegal migration destroys countries from within and suggested that military action was necessary.
Kyle stated that the military should concentrate on key national defense issues, while ensuring the UK Border Force is strong enough to manage such responsibilities.
