The Conservatives have criticised the government's approach, arguing there needs to be a deterrent to stop migrants crossing the Channel.
After winning power, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer scrapped the previous Tory government's plan to send some migrants to Rwanda, which aimed to discourage crossings.
When the new Border Security Command was announced, Conservative former home secretary James Cleverly suggested it was a "gimmick" and accused Labour of making up a job that already existed.
Mr Hewitt rejected this, saying that for the first time all the agencies and organisations involved in securing the country's borders were working together.
"This has not happened before, with one department, one unit and one person having the responsibility to cohere and to coordinate the system," he added.