Record number of migrant channel crossings

The British Home Office released figures on Wednesday showing that 4,644 migrants of various nationalities successfully crossed the Channel in the first quarter of this year. This figure represents a 23% increase compared to the same period last year, when 3,700 crossings were recorded, setting a new record for the first three months of the year.

The previous record was from 2022, 4,548 crossings between January and March, highlighting a growing trend despite the Conservative government's ambitious “stop the boats” announcements. 338 people crossed in one day on Tuesday, underscoring the scale and sustainability of the challenge. Since January, at least seven migrants, including children, have lost their lives trying to reach the UK.

Under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's regime, the fight against illegal immigration has been prioritized. Although the total number of crossings is expected to drop from 45,000 the previous year to almost 30,000 in 2023, each new arrival raises questions about the effectiveness of government measures.

As the general elections approach, the crisis is being closely scrutinized by the Conservative Party's administration, especially as Labor looks set to take the lead in the opposition polls. The bill, which aims to deport migrants to Rwanda, faces opposition from the left, particularly from the upper house of parliament, which seeks to soften the text.

At the same time, the Ministry of the Interior launched a campaign on social networks specifically targeting Vietnamese nationals, whose numbers attempting to cross are increasing. This approach aims to prevent future attempts.