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, after he lost 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 of diplomatic negotiations agreeing returns and toughening up court guidance. Speaking alongside Sir Keir Starmer at a press conference at the prime minister's country residence Chequers, Trump suggested such force was needed as illegal migration destroys countries from within.
He said: You have people coming in and I told the prime minister I would stop it, and it doesn't matter if you call out the military, it doesn't matter what means you use. Kyle countered this by stating, We have the UK Border Force that is now established and has been reinforced and bolstered and have new powers under this government.
The navy actually does have a working relationship with the UK Border Force, and the navy can be called upon if needed. However, Kyle emphasized that the military should be dedicated to national defense and critical global issues.
Trump's past actions in the US included implementing bans on asylum for migrants at the southern border, emphasizing a focus on strengthening border security through military means. The Conservatives and Reform UK in the UK are calling for tougher migration actions, although none have suggested military deployment as an approach.
A new Home Secretary has vowed to tackle what she termed vexatious, last-minute claims regarding asylum, aligning with the current government's strategy to effectively manage migration and expedite deportations of those without the right to remain in the UK.
