Category: English Channel

France Rejects UK Proposal for Joint Patrols in English Channel

France has formally rejected the UK government’s call for joint patrols on the French coast to prevent illegal immigrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats. In a letter to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French Prime Minister Jean Castex said his government “cannot accept” the presence of British personnel because it would compromise…


Channel Deaths Stiffen Resolve to Render Illegal Immigration Route Unviable: UK Minister

A UK immigration minister said on Wednesday that the drowning of 27 people in the English Channel last week had stiffened his resolve to render the illegal immigration route unviable. A boat carrying illegal immigrants sank in the Channel on Nov. 4, killing 27 people onboard, including 17 men, seven women, and three children. Asked…


France Prepared to Resume Talks With UK on Illegal Immigration: Minister

France is prepared to resume discussions with the UK about its illegal immigration crisis if the British government takes talks seriously, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Monday. He told a press conference: “We cannot change our geography, so we need to come to an understanding with our British friends and allies even though…


UK-France Ties Remains ‘Strong’ Despite Row Over Illegal Immigration: Minister

A British minister said on Saturday that the partnership between France and the UK remains “strong” despite the row between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron over how to handle the illegal immigration crisis in the English Channel. The French government said on Friday that a public letter sent by Johnson to…


‘No Quick Fix’ to Tackle Illegal Immigration Across English Channel: Patel

There is “no quick fix” to stop illegal immigrants arriving in the UK by crossing the English Channel in small boats, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Thursday, one day after the deadliest incident yet in the crisis. A dinghy carrying illegal immigrants capsized off the coast of the French port city of Calais…


Number of Illegal Immigrants Crossing English Channel Triples From 2020

The number of illegal immigrants who have reached the UK this year by crossing the English Channel in small boats has now tripled the total for the whole of 2020. At least 886 people succeeded in reaching the UK on Saturday, the Home Office confirmed on Monday. This brings the total for the year to…


UK Calls for Cooperation Across Europe to Tackle Migration Crisis

The “global migration crisis” is an urgent issue for the whole of Europe and requires close cooperation across the continent, the British government said on Friday. More than 24,700 illegal immigrants have arrived in the UK so far this year after crossing the English Channel in small boats, almost three times the number there were…


Around 1,000 Migrants Reach UK in Small Boats, Setting New Daily Record

Around 1,000 people crossed the English Channel to reach the UK on Thursday, setting a new daily record. Thursday’s total will surpass the previous single-day record for the current crisis of 853 set on Nov. 3, the PA news agency reported. The figure has not been confirmed by the UK government. But a Home Office…


Over 20,000 Migrants Have Crossed English Channel Into UK This Year

More than 20,000 people have crossed the English Channel illegally aboard small boats into the UK since the start of the year, more than double the total for the whole of 2020, the latest figures show. Despite government promises to stem the flow of small boats, which are often overloaded semi-rigid inflatables, the numbers this…


UK, France in War of Words Over Illegal Immigrant Crossings in English Channel

The continuing illegal immigration crisis in the English Channel has sparked an unusually heated exchange of words between the governments of Britain and France. At least 14,100 people have crossed the English Channel to the UK aboard small boats this year, according to data compiled by the PA news agency. The figure so far is…