Why are there so many Channel crossings?
12,500 people have crossed the English Channel this year (as of 24 August). Why are more migrants crossing the English Channel ?
Over the past two years, channel crossings between France and the UK have multiplied. Paradoxically, the amount of people overall seeking asylum in the UK is falling. Because of the pandemic – which has reduced flights and freight – as well as a higher security around the border in Calais, more migrants are choosing to cross the border in small boats. This way of crossing is extremely dangerous, as boats are mostly dinghies, which are not made for such a journey, and are often filled beyond capacity.
What happens to migrants arriving in the UK?
People arriving in the UK need to apply for asylum. During the procedure – which can last several years – they are not allowed to work legally in the country.
What is the UK government's response?
The UK government has pledged to stop the channel crossings. Since Brexit, it has been preparing a new point-based Immigration Act, which grants the right to live in the UK based on skills among other factors. This point-based system will take into consideration the way migrants accessed the country, and will make it nearly impossible for channel migrants to access the asylum system. For example, they won't be allowed to apply if they've already travelled through a “safe country” like France – which most of them have – in which case, they risk being sent back to their country of origin. The UK government is currently negotiating an agreement with France, regarding this issue, but has not yet begun to negotiate with other European countries.
Priti Patel
The Home Office, currently led by Priti Patel, is in charge of dealing with the channel crossing problem. Patel's immigration policy is considered extreme: she has suggested sending back the boats to France without any kind of help. Her comments sparked outrage among human rights activists.
as of ici, au / over au cours de / past ici, dernier / overall globalement, en tout / to seek asylum demander l’asile (to seek, sought, sought chercher à obtenir) / to fall, fell, fallen chuter, baisser / freight frêt, transport (de marchandises) / dinghy canot / to fill remplir, occuper / beyond au-delà de / to apply for faire une demande de / to allow autoriser / to pledge promettre (de), s’engager (à) / point-based ici, basé sur un système à points / act loi / to grant accorder / skill compétence, qualification / nearly presque, quasiment / agreement accord / issue problème / yet encore / to lead, led, led diriger / to deal, dealt, dealt with gérer / policy politique (ligne d’action) / to spark outrage susciter l’indignation / activist militant(-e).