Border Force intercepts more Channel migrants as yearly total rises to 3,767: Boats carrying 87 migrants arrived in Dover as Government pushes on with its illegal migration bill
- 87 migrants were brought into harbour yesterday after being intercepted at sea
- Officials predict as many as 80,000 people could make the crossing this year
Border Force continues to intercept more migrants crossing the Channel in small boats as MPs prepare to scrutinise the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill in the House of Commons.
A total of 87 migrants were brought into the harbour at Dover in Kent yesterday after being intercepted at sea, bringing the total of illegal crossings so far for 2023 to 3,767.
The group are the first to arrive by small boats since three boats, carrying 118 people, were intercepted just over a week ago.
Officials have predicted that as many as 80,000 people could make the crossing this year.
A total of 87 migrants were brought into the harbour at Dover in Kent yesterday after being intercepted at sea, bringing the total of illegal crossing so far for 2023 to 3,767
Officials have predicted that as many as 80,000 people could make the crossing this year. Pictured: Migrants brought into Dover Marina by Border Force agents on March 17
Thousands of migrants from around the world travel to northern France each year in hopes of reaching the UK.
Most attempt the journey in dinghies and other small craft now that authorities have clamped down on other routes such as stowing away on buses or trucks.
At the weekend, dozens off migrants made the treacherous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits in two boats.
The weekend crossings bring the total official figure so far for 2023 to 3,767 arriving in 88 boats.
A total of 45,728 people arrived in 1,104 boats last year, compared to around 28,000 in 2021 and 8,500 in 2020.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said: ‘The unacceptable number of people risking their lives by making these dangerous crossings is placing an unprecedented strain on our asylum system.
‘Our priority is to stop this illegal trade, and our new Small Boats Operational Command – bolstered by hundreds of extra staff – is working alongside our French partners and other agencies to disrupt the people smugglers.
‘We are also going further by introducing legislation which will ensure that those people arriving in the UK illegally are detained and swiftly removed to another country.’
The Home Office said the ‘unacceptable number of people risking their lives by making these dangerous crossings is placing an unprecedented strain on our asylum system’. Pictured: Security guards stand at the migrant processing centre in Dover, Kent on March 7
Thousands of migrants from around the world travel to northern France each year in hopes of reaching the UK. Pictured: Royal National Lifeboat Institution helps migrants ashore at a beach in Dungeness in November 2021
The release of the latest figures comes as the Government pushed its contentious migration bill forward in Parliament today, despite a call from Europe’s top human rights organisation for lawmakers to block the legislation.
The Bill would bar asylum claims by anyone who reaches the UK by unauthorised means, and compel the government to detain and then deport them ‘to their home country or a safe third country.’ They would be banned from ever reentering the UK.
The proposed legislation has been at the centre of controversy, with critics warning that it leaves the UK foul of its international obligations.
But right-wing Tory MPs have signalled that it does not go far enough, with some calling for ministers to take the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to drive through tighter border controls.
Others on the liberal wing want to see Prime Minister Rishi Sunak commit to establishing safe routes via which asylum seekers can come to Britain.
The Prime Minister sought to play down suggestions he and Home Secretary Suella Braverman were at odds over the Bill following reports she has been privately encouraging rebels on the right in order to pressurise him to toughen up the legislation.
PM Rishi Sunak speaking during a visit to Essex today (pictured) said he was confident the Government had designed a Bill that was ‘robust and effective’ while remaining compliant with the UK’s obligations under international law
Speaking during a visit to Essex today, Mr Sunak said he was confident they had designed a Bill that was ‘robust and effective’ while remaining compliant with the UK’s obligations under international law.
‘The Home Secretary and I have worked incredibly closely for the last two months to get the legislation exactly right,’ he said.
‘This is a tough piece of legislation, the likes of which we haven’t seen. It’s important that it is effective, which it will be. It is also important that we abide by our international obligations. This is a country and a Government that does follow the law.’
Downing Street dismissed suggestions that Ms Braverman was being used a ‘right-wing sock puppet’ by Tory rebels seeking to dilute the role of the European Court of Human Rights.
‘Both the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary have been clear that this Bill will comply with international law and stop the boats,’ the spokesman said.
Policing minister Chris Philp said Ms Braverman is in ‘listening mode as always’, as he played down suggestions that the Government could accept amendments to establish more safe and legal routes for asylum seekers to enter the UK.
The proposed legislation has been at the centre of controversy, with critics warning that it leaves the UK foul of its international obligations. Pictured: Pro-migrant protesters gather in the Parliament Square on March 13 for a demonstration against government’s controversial immigration bill
The Government says the new law, once approved by Parliament, will deter migrants and hobble smuggling gangs who send desperate people on hazardous journeys across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Pictured: Protesters in the Portland Place Street on March 18
The Government says the new law, once approved by Parliament, will deter migrants and hobble smuggling gangs who send desperate people on hazardous journeys across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
But charities and refugee groups say it is unethical, unworkably and likely illegal.
The United Nations’ refugee agency said the law would be a ‘clear breach of the Refugee Convention’ and amount to an ‘asylum ban.’
Britain receives fewer asylum-seekers than some European nations such as Italy, Germany or France, but thousands still try to enter the country each year.
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