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Charities have criticized the lack of legal routes to apply for UK asylum from abroad after it was confirmed that a record number of migrants crossed the Canal in small boats on Friday.
The Interior Ministry confirmed that 145 people, including 51 aboard an inflatable boat, were brought ashore on May 8 after making the dangerous journey through the canal. They mostly sail from France in the warm weather.
Another 82 people were arrested on Saturday. Images taken at the Dover port on Saturday showed people in facial masks processed by border officials. On Sunday, the Border Force was alerted to another ship at 3.20 a.m. It was found to be carrying 17 people, bringing the total Bank Holiday weekend figure to at least 244.
A large number of those who arrived in the UK over the weekend presented themselves as Iranian, Afghan, Yemini, Iraqi, Kuwaiti and Syrian citizens, who now face the possibility of months of detention.
Friday’s figure is believed to be a new record for a single day of clandestine arrivals intercepted on small boats after 102 immigrants were picked up on February 7, as the UK prepared for storm Ciara, the daily daily total.
The previous official record was broken the day before, when 90 immigrants crossed the sea separating Britain and continental Europe.
Since the closure was announced in Britain on March 23, at least 853 migrants have been intercepted by UK authorities and taken ashore, according to data collected by PA Media.
With an increasing number of people prepared to risk their lives to seek refuge in the UK, charities have suggested that the increase could still continue without creating safe routes for asylum seekers, who normally need to be in the UK. to submit an application.
“Many people fleeing war and persecution feel compelled to put their lives in the hands of criminal smugglers because there are no safe and legal routes to apply for asylum in the UK,” said Stephen Hale, executive director of Refugee Action.
“The government must stop talking hard and start acting smart. This means creating more ways for people to claim protection in the UK, including a long-term commitment to resettle 10,000 refugees every year. “
Clare Moseley, founder of the charity Care4Calais, said the coronavirus had worsened the situation of migrants in a life-threatening situation amid dire conditions in the French refugee camps.
“Now more than ever, we must provide people with a safe and humane way to have their asylum claims heard fairly,” he said. “That is the way to end dangerous and chaotic canal crossings once and for all.”
Fizza Qureshi, co-executive director of the Migrant Rights Network, also said that the extreme conditions in the camps in France had become even poorer due to the closure and that the UK government could have stepped up efforts to rally the families instead of letting people languish.
“It is completely understandable why people are resorting to making the dangerous journey through the canal,” he said. “They are desperate and want to be with their loved ones. We urgently need safe and legal routes to allow people to be reunited with their families.”
Amnesty UK said sheer desperation to escape misery and uncertainty was being felt more acutely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Smugglers will take advantage of increased fear and will continue to be assisted by the British and French governments for their consistent and intentional failure to assume and share responsibility for ensuring people’s safe access to asylum procedures,” said a spokesman.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said Thursday that the increase in migrants making boat trips through the canal was related to restrictions on roadblocks on the border.
On Sunday Chris Philp, the minister of immigration and court compliance, said: “We are all working day and night to dismantle and arrest criminal gangs that trade in human trafficking.
“The recent increase in crossings is totally unacceptable and it is disgusting that smugglers are willing to put the lives of people, including children, at risk. That is why we are stepping up action to stop crossings, prosecuting criminals who commit these heinous crimes and prosecuting them for their criminal activity. “
