The Rwandan initiative does not deter new migrants. They may not be well-versed in high politics or Prime Ministerial plans, but they do understand that once they arrive in Britain, they will stay indefinitely. The only effective way to prevent migration is to control the Channel. However, if Britain rescues the intruders, it will be obliged to accept them. Therefore, it is France, and only France, that can prevent the influx from reaching our shores.
On Thursday, French authorities reported the rescue of over 150 migrants who were attempting to cross the English Channel from northern France to the United Kingdom. The migrants were on two overloaded boats that were in distress. One of the boats, which had departed from the Gravelines area near Dunkirk, sent out a distress call after a few hours at sea.
Rescue services responded and found 77 people on board, who were then taken to the port of Calais. The second boat, spotted in trouble at Le Portel, south of Calais, had 76 people on board, who were rescued and brought to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of migrants attempting to cross the Channel in small boats. So far this year, at least 15 migrants have lost their lives in these attempts, surpassing the 12 deaths recorded in the entire previous year. Despite the risks, many continue to make the attempt. Last year, nearly 30,000 people managed to reach the United Kingdom, which is a third less than the number in 2022.
