The UK Borders Bill will also allow officers at ports and airports to seize cash and assets from illegal immigrants, drug smugglers and people traffickers.

And the staff will wear a new dark blue uniform - to give them a " clear, visible public presence" - and make clear to passengers that they have new powers.

The Bill, to be unveiled by Home Secretary John Reid, follows widespread criticism of security loopholes that have allowed suspects to enter the country through ports and airports.

At present, the officers can only detain foreigners suspected of breaking immigration laws and must call the police to deal with more serious offences.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "This Bill will help build stronger borders, increasing the powers of immigration officers at airports and ports and removing incentives for illegal immigration to Britain."

The Bill will also help to speed up the deporting of serious criminals, following the scandal over the release of 1,023 prisoners who should have been considered for deportation.

The Bill will deny access to benefits or accommodation for a new category for people claiming asylum, but have committed serious crimes.

The move is to prevent repeats of cases such as when Afghans claimed asylum after hijacking a plane and landing at Stansted airport in Essex.

The hijackers won an appeal against deportation and were given the right to stay in Britain.