Umm; first click on Google:
Based on recent reports and government data regarding UK immigration, the claim that exactly 36,000 "illegals" were deported last year appears to be a misunderstanding or a mixture of different data points.
Here is the breakdown of the current situation as of early 2026:
Channel Crossings: In 2024, approximately 36,816 people crossed the English Channel in small boats. This number is sometimes confused with removals, but it actually represents the number of arrivals.
Returns vs. Deportations: The UK government has reported an increase in returns. For instance, in the second half of 2024 and early 2025, there was a total of about 16,400 returns (including both voluntary and enforced).
Voluntary vs. Enforced: A significant portion of reported "removals" are voluntary returns, rather than enforced deportations. Official figures for enforced returns are generally much lower than total returns.
Recent Claims: Government figures and political commentary in 2025 have cited higher numbers of "removals," often including voluntary departures, which critics have argued are lower than the rhetoric suggests.
Therefore, while the number of people arriving via small boats in 2024 was around 36,000, 36,000 people were not deported or removed in that same timeframe.
I think you should check your facts, David.