CALAIS MIGRANT CHILDREN START ARRIVING IN THE UK CLAIMING TO BE AGED 14 TO 17
THE first child migrants rescued from the Jungle camp in Calais arrived in Britain yesterday – but there were concerns some might not be as young as they claim.
Fourteen teenagers were brought over from northern France to claim asylum, days before the sprawling shanty town is bulldozed.
The vulnerable children, aged between 14 and 17, qualify for refuge because they have relatives in the UK. They are set to be followed by hundreds more in the coming days.
The evacuees were taken to Croydon, south London, where they registered with the Home Office.
But last night Ukip MEP Jane Collins said the children “looked very mature for their age”.
Ms Collins said she “hoped the British public weren’t providing refuge for adult economic migrants trying to pull a fast one”.
She added: “I have been told by social workers there are many cases of transparently adult migrants claiming to be under 16.
“The social work teams have to go on what these children say unless it can be proved otherwise. Many of the migrants in Calais threw away their documentation. They cannot be returned to a country if they are technically stateless, or it cannot be proved where they came from.
“In my constituency in Rotherham we need funds and qualified workers to stop the abuse of children. Why should children in Yorkshire suffer for people who may well be fooling the system?”
It is thought as many as 400 refugee children could be given sanctuary in the coming days. The order can then be given to flatten the camp, which is home to 10,000 migrants hoping to reach the UK. Demolition work is expected to start next Monday.
The Home Office said: “This is the start of the process to transfer as many eligible children as possible before the start of the clearance, as the Home Secretary set out in Parliament. They will join their families in the UK over the coming days.” The group, made up of youngsters from war-ravaged countries like Syria and Sudan, was welcomed by charities and faith leaders.
Asif Khan, a 25-year-old chef who has been in the UK for 11 years after fleeing Afghanistan, said his brother Aimal, 14, had been stranded in the Jungle for six months.
He said: “I really appreciate this. It was a blessing to receive him. His journey was difficult but he gets a new life now.” A team of British officials is in northern France overseeing the transfer of children.
Immigration rules state asylum claims must be made in the first safe country a person reaches. But children can have their application transferred to another country if they have family ties there.
YESTERDAY the first migrant children allowed to leave the Jungle camp in Calais and come to Britain arrived in this country. More are expected to follow.
There have in the past been serious concerns raised about asylum seekers lying about their age in a bid to get softer treatment from the authorities. We also know that many of the people living in Calais are not fleeing persecution but instead want to come to Britain because they think they can get more money here.
The Government needs to ensure that the cases of migrant children are dealt with thoroughly so that only those eligible to come and settle here are allowed to do so.
Fail to do the proper checks and this act of generosity will be shamelessly abused.