Minor Migrant Movement Surges Across English Channel

The United Kingdom is now receiving a surge of migrants from across the world through small boats on sea. Of these, official sources have reported as many as 17 unaccompanied children.  According to Kent County Council (KCC), as many as 23 under 18s have now been taken into care arriving on its shores this week.

In total more than 200 migrants are said to have arrived through the English Channel in 17 small boats. The UK government is now making arrangements to send them to parts of Europe in sets of 20 at a time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, it is imperative to maintain the social distancing norms.

Most of the migrants have found their way through the English Channel at the Port of Dover.  They were intercepted by border security personnel soon after arrival.

Strangely, the number of children arriving in unaccompanied shows the desperation of parents to protect their future. Since May, officials confirm, UK has received 220 children. Since 2019, more than 5000 asylum seekers have tried to enter the UK through the English Channel. UK administration is now making arrangements for them to be sent back to France and Germany where the countries might provide these migrants asylum.  This comes under the Dublin-III European Union deal under which the UK has the right to send back anyone who is seeking asylum if they could have reasonably claimed it in another country along the way.

The deal comes to an end after the end of the Brexit transition period in January 2021, unless the UK and EU agree to renew this one or agree on a similar new deal.

The United Kingdom has shown great clemency in receiving more than 4000 asylum seekers since January 2019. But this seems to have become a challenge as people continue to flow into through the English Channel, despite the fact that France has repeatedly tried to intercept the surge before it reaches England. Most of the ones travelling across are coming from war laden chaotic parts of the world seeking refuge. Recent arrivals have included entire families from Yemen, Eritrea, Chad, Egypt, Sudan and Iraq. Many ask to claim asylum once they are picked up by the UK authorities. Others are economic migrants who have no real claim for refuge. They are seeking to work in the UK without applying for a visa because they think it is better than staying in their homelands. It is no surprise then that this has become an organised business model as well. Over the last 20 years, crime gangs have been known to earn a fortune by smuggling people from Asia and Africa across Europe. When land routes have been shut with heightened security, sea routes are now being exploited by people from across Europe and Asia.