In December 2022 Michael was appointed by the Prime Minister to the role of Minister for Countering Illegal Migration.
This position was as a Home Office Minister of State, attending Cabinet. He was responsible for countering illegal migration: taking both primary and secondary legislation through Parliament; deterring small boat crossings and working with international organisations, such as the International Organisation for Migration. He signed a joint statement of cooperation with Vietnam, to reaffirm the UK's strong partnership Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security, and worked with counterparts from Bangladesh and Albania to strengthen partnerships and intensify co-operation on economic, cultural and social issues, as well as migration issues.
He led a delegation to North Africa; including Cairo, Tripoli and Tunis; as well as to Kosovo and Albania. He was the first ever Home Office Minister in Tripoli, Libya.
He was sworn in as a Privy Councillor in February 2024 by His Majesty King Charles III to become a member of His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, entitling Michael to the style "The Right Honourable" for life.