Charities report that the Government’s strategy does little to halt the perilous journey across the Channel
Small boat crossings from France to the UK resumed on Sunday following an 11-day pause, with charities reporting that the UK Government’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda has had minimal impact on deterring migrants from making the dangerous voyage.
On Sunday, 254 people were detected crossing the Channel from France. Further crossings on Monday brought more migrants, including children, to Dover. The BBC reported that by midday, over 100 people had been brought ashore. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has yet to release official data for these crossings as of Tuesday morning.
This comes after the MoD assumed full responsibility for migrant operations in April when the Government introduced its controversial Rwanda migration deal. The Nationality and Borders Bill, recently passed into law, has drawn sharp criticism from campaigners for criminalising unauthorised UK arrivals and allowing asylum processing to occur outside UK borders.
Despite these measures, charities insist they fail to address the root causes driving migration. Refugee organisations such as Care4Calais have surveyed migrants and found that the overwhelming majority—87% of those surveyed—are aware of the Rwanda plan, but 75% said it would not dissuade them from attempting to cross the Channel. One migrant reportedly stated, “They have no choice: they’ve fled danger, and France does not offer safety.”
Pierre-Henri Dumont, a French MP for Calais, echoed similar concerns, noting that the new UK policies may even motivate migrants to cross before the measures are enforced. He highlighted that smuggling networks could exploit the uncertainty surrounding these new policies, encouraging migrants to act sooner to avoid being affected by the new legal framework.
Enver Solomon, CEO of Refugee Council, said the recent surge in crossings demonstrates that the Nationality and Borders Bill and the Rwanda deal are ineffective in addressing the reasons people flee their countries. He called on the UK to adopt more cooperative, humane policies with France and the European Union to share responsibility and provide safe asylum routes.
Data from the PA news agency suggests that at least 6,947 people have crossed the Channel this year, marking a significant increase compared to 2,004 by this time last year. The trend highlights the ongoing pressure on cross-Channel migration routes, despite breaks between crossings due to weather conditions.
Sir Keir Starmer, Labour leader, has emphasised the need for an international response to combat the smuggling networks exploiting vulnerable migrants. He advocates increased European cooperation to dismantle these criminal groups.
Care4Calais further advocates for safer alternatives, such as expanded visa access for refugees, which would reduce reliance on dangerous crossings and undermine smuggling networks. According to the organisation, allowing refugee visas could provide a practical and humane way to save lives and address the underlying challenges of forced displacement.
As migration crossings continue, the debate over policy and humanitarian solutions remains unresolved, highlighting the ongoing complexities of international migration crises.
