There is rising concern over the comparatively low number of immigrants prevented by France from making their way across the Channel, amidst apprehensions of a potentially landmark year. An examination of the Home Office data exposes that merely 8,347 asylum applicants have been dissuaded from navigating to UK waters in a mini boat. Meanwhile, a staggering 13,167 individuals have managed to cross within the same given time frame. This data illustrates that less than 40% of immigrants are prevented by France even after the UK has pledged to pay upwards of £480,000 per day during this fiscal year.
Critics have harshly judged the efforts as insufficient, calling attention to the fact that the French navy seems to permit these people to sustain their voyages even following the grim retrieval of bodies from life rafts. They argue that France is neglecting its responsibility under international law to curb illegal migration. The fact that fewer than 40% of illegal migrants are stopped is a cause for significant concern. What’s worse, even those who are intercepted are often simply released, only to make another attempt the very next day.
Many are championing the approach taken by Belgium to this issue, calling on France to adopt similar measures. This entails forcibly stopping boats close to the French coast, and ensuring the return of the passengers back to France. This approach would not only inhibit the attempted crossings, but would also address the accumulation of illegal migrants around places like Calais – a problem that is of concern to France as well.
Given the inadequate preventative measures, the proposition has been put forth to promptly deport each illegal migrant upon their arrival in the UK to a location outside of Europe, for instance, Rwanda. The issue of immigration has left the Labour party’s pledge to disrupt smuggling rings in shambles. With more than 37,000 illegal immigrants landing since the elections, and 2025 shaping up to be an unprecedented year for illegal immigrants, it is apparent that Labour has lost its grip on border control.
Despite the significant funds being allocated to reinforce the French operations, the figures remain disappointing. Unfulfilled promises of maritime interventions in even shallow waters have raised concerns. Equally alarming is the continuation of journeys despite the retrieval of bodies from potential crime scenes – a practice which is viewed as wholly unacceptable.
On the issue of handing out life jackets, it has been criticised that it seems to reflect a lack of interest on France’s part in dissuading asylum seekers from embarking on perilous journeys across the Channel. In fact, critics argue, once the boats have been deployed, the French policy seems to focus more on aiding their voyage to the UK waters rather than orchestrating their safe return to France.
In comparison to previous years, the situation has not improved. The Home Office data shows that in the year 2023, over 26,000 migrants were stopped from making the journey. This was a drop from 33,791 in 2022. Although 2024’s official figures have not been released, claims have been made that 28,000 were intercepted that year. It should be noted that the UK has agreed to financially support France in efforts to prevent further Channel migrant crossings.
However, insiders warn that the Channel migrant crisis has become a chronic issue and anticipate no reduction in crossings until at least 2026. The optimism for a quick resolution is all but gone. Weather conditions are being pointed out as one of the possible causes for the surge in crossings with officials noting a doubling of ‘red days’ – days when the Channel conditions are more favourable for small boats – compared to the previous year.
Worryingly, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of immigrants coming from Horn of Africa countries such as Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan. Coupled with fears that reductions to US Aid may impose greater migration pressures, there is increasing concern that more individuals will endeavour to embark on a new life in countries such as the UK.
Growing frustration has also been directed towards the perceived inaction of the French authorities in stopping these small vessels from departing their coasts. It is anticipated that France will consent to modify its own regulations this summer to allow boat interception in shallow waters. This decision could notably impede the operations of smuggling rings.
Yet, these changes might come too late to prevent 2025 from setting a new record for crossings. The UK and France are in discussion about a reciprocal returns agreement which would enable asylum seekers to reunite with their family members already in the UK. In exchange, illegal migrants who manage to cross the Channel would be repatriated back to France.
Plans are underway for a potential pilot scheme that could possibly be scaled up into a broader European agreement. The first obstacle lies in establishing whether such a returns agreement, bilateral or even multilateral, could be feasible on any scale.
The initial signs are heartening as there is private joy amongst officials that Paris has, after years of refusal, begun to contemplate a returns deal. The French counterparts recognize the need to intensify their efforts to tackle the Channel migrant crisis.
The consensus is that the situation cannot be ignored any longer. In the past, the French doctrine veered towards saving lives at sea, while avoiding any undue risk. This meant escorting migrants on boats without active intervention. However, this doctrine of intervention needs transformation leading to more proactive measures.