More than 1,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in the UK in just two days, taking the total number for the year so far to over 12,500, according to Home Office figures. On Friday, 686 people were detected crossing the English Channel, followed by 384 on Saturday. These numbers represent the highest daily total for this year and highlight the ongoing crisis of illegal immigration via small boats. Over the two days, a total of 13 boats were intercepted on Friday and seven on Saturday. The government has repeatedly promised to make this route “unviable,” but the situation has worsened in recent years.
In 2022, a record-breaking 45,755 illegal immigrants crossed the English Channel in small boats. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made stopping these small boat crossings a priority for the year, along with addressing other issues such as NHS waiting lists, economic growth, inflation reduction, and national debt reduction.
The Home Office has faced criticism for its handling of the small boat crisis, particularly regarding overcrowding at the main processing center for Channel arrivals in Kent. A report released last month highlighted concerns about the government’s lack of outgoing accommodation, which could lead to a repeat of the overcrowding crisis experienced at the Manston center last autumn. The chief inspector of borders and immigration, David Neal, warned of a “very real danger” of a build-up at the processing center and raised questions about where the tens of thousands of expected arrivals will be accommodated between 2023 and 2024.
The National Audit Office (NAO) also criticized the government for failing to secure enough accommodation to end the use of hotels for illegal immigrants. The Home Office had aimed to find 500 extra spaces per week in council accommodation, but in reality, only 48 additional spaces were secured per week in the year ending in April. The NAO report stated that the Home Office now acknowledges it is unlikely to meet its accommodation targets and is exploring different sources of accommodation to address the issue.
The government’s proposed Illegal Migration Bill is facing resistance both in Parliament and in courts. Under the bill, individuals who arrive in the UK illegally would be banned from claiming asylum and would face deportation to their home country or a safe third country like Rwanda. They would also be prohibited from reentry. However, in a recent Court of Appeal ruling, the policy was deemed “unlawful” due to deficiencies in the asylum system in Rwanda. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed disagreement with the ruling and stated that the government will appeal the decision at the Supreme Court.
The government has also experienced setbacks in the House of Lords, with a total of 20 defeats against its proposals for the bill. Despite these challenges, Downing Street affirmed its belief that the bill is the appropriate solution to stop the boats, recognizing that it would face opposition from various quarters.
Overall, the significant increase in illegal immigrants crossing the English Channel highlights the ongoing crisis and the challenges faced by the UK government. With overcrowding concerns and a lack of adequate accommodation, addressing this issue will require comprehensive and effective measures. The resistance faced by the Illegal Migration Bill further adds to the complexity of finding a solution to this pressing problem.
Source link
