Undocumented Migrants: English Channel

(asked on 15th July 2020) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2020 to Question 1927, for what reasons there was a sixfold increase in the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in 2019 compared to the previous year.


Answered by
Chris Philp Portrait
Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
This question was answered on 24th July 2020

Nobody should be making these dangerous and illegally-facilitated crossing from France to the UK. France is a safe country with a well-run asylum system.

Government departments, including the Home Office and the National Crime Agency are working around the clock, in collaboration with the French Government and the relevant international law enforcement agencies to stop these illegally-facilitated crossings. We are working to identify and dismantle the organised crime groups that facilitate illegal immigration.

Strengthened security at the juxtaposed controls between the UK and France has also meant it is increasingly difficult for migrants to enter the UK without permission, in line with the UK’s immigration rules, leading to more reckless attempts by boat.

The UK Government has returned over 155 small boats arrivals back to Europe since January 2019 using the legal channels available.

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