Quite an interesting phenomenon is being seen at the English Channel as it witnesses the crossing over of thousands of people, but what really is behind the migration of people in such large numbers and what can we predict about such patterns? In this detailed article, we will find out.
Yes, a large number of people are crossing the English Channel and these numbers are close to 4,000 people. From big and small boats to dinghies, people are using all sorts of means to get to the other side.
On 6th August, more than 235 people arrived but what is interesting to note is that, the actual number of people trying to cross the Channel is much larger than the real number of people who are actually able to make it to the other side. Not everyone who wants to cross the English Channel and go to the other side has been able to do so due to the interception of French authorities before they reach the French waters. It has to be acknowledged that this area is considered to be one of the most dangerous passages in the world and the small boats and dinghies that people are using to cross it are often extremely overcrowded and have infants and children onboard.
Maritime law dictates that when people are at sea and are at a risk of losing their lives, there must be attempts to save their lives and they must be rescued with urgency. Migration to the United Kingdom has been practiced for decades and people from many neighbouring countries have ventured into the country for long term stays such as for an education or employment. In the UK, there are 49,000 asylum applications. It is fascinating to note that the extent and magnanimity of the migrations to the UK is so large that the 4,000 unauthorised immigrates who we are talking about are nothing but a mere 1% of the total numbers.
A large number of people have wanted to seek asylum in several European countries such as Germany,Spain and France too along with Europe. It is important to understand that people flock to these countries from different parts of the world especially from countries that are poorer and economically backward with the hope that these new lands will give them opportunities that their native countries didn’t. Some of the countries to which recent arrivals to the UK can be traced are Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq and Chad.
Another interesting phenomenon that we cannot overlook here is that many illegal migrants continue to stay in the country without asking for asylum unless they are caught by the authorities. A large section of those who come to the United Kingdom come with the hope of better economic and educational prospects when their home countries fail to promise it to them.
An Organised Apparatus for Smuggling People Across Borders
It is interested to note that although migrations in an illegal manner may have started quite informally, today this has grown into a full-fledged business and there are gangs that smuggle people from one national border to another through the sea. The countries from where the maximum number of people are smuggled are in Asia and Africa. Many families save all their money just in order to be able to cross over and reach the other side of the border. Asylum seekers in the UK have a tough time because it operates on complex protocols and stringent security systems.
Sending people across the English Channel on trucks has been a common practice and no wonder, the report on 39 dead people from Vietnam in a refrigerated lorry in October 2019, only underlined the permanence of this practice. With tightened security and complex procedures for asylum seekers, more and more people are attempting to cross the sea on boats.
But what happens to someone when they are caught by the authorities trying to cross the English Channel? In most cases, such a person is first taken to the UK Border Force and then to short-term holding centres where they are kept for a while and then if they make a claim for asylum and have no money on them, the government accommodates them somewhere in the UK. During the time when the person’s application is being considered, the cost of the person’s stay in paid by the government. Others are kept in detention centres until the authorities arrive at a decision.
Large Number of Migrants Are Compelled to Return Back
A large number of people who try to cross over and go to the other side are compelled to return back upon being caught by the authorities and compelled to go back to mainland Europe. Many organisations that work on the rights of the refugees and migrants say that they are compelled to return back quite unfairly, and sometimes even when they have all the right claims to asylum or a reasonable claim to stay on.
The United Kingdom Home Secretary Priti Patel is of the opinion that other governments such as the French must extend greater cooperation and intercept such boats from leaving the French territory in the first place. This has become such an important issue that the government authorities are urgently trying to devise ways to tackle the problem. In fact one of the most impactful committees in the country, Home Affairs Committee in Parliament is ready to start an enquiry and detailed plan so that the French and the UK governments can work together to deal with the problem of illegal migrations through the English Channel.
One of the most important reminders that non-governmental and civil society bodies working in the field of migrant and refugee rights have made is that illegal migrations are a result of extremely complicated asylum seeking procedures and that if such procedures were eased, the problem would automatically be handled.
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