More than 45,000 migrants reached the English coast illegally in 2022 by crossing the channel in makeshift boats. A record number despite successive plans by the British governments to “combat”it. British Home Secretary Suella Braverman called the migrant wave an invasion.
Never before have so many migrants – especially Albanians, Iranians and Afghans – made the dangerous crossing. A total of 45,756 migrants, compared to 28,526 in 2021, which was an all-time record at the time. The ever-increasing figures put pressure on the British government. The fight against immigration has been one of the Conservatives ‘ priorities since Brexit. But the system of asylum applications is over-requested.
Successive governments in London have already launched all kinds of ideas and measures, such as artificial waves to keep the migrant boats out of British waters or send the migrants to distant islands. Former prime minister Boris Johnson had an agreement with Rwanda to transfer asylum seekers processed in the United Kingdom to the African country by plane.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman called the migrant wave an invasion. The United Nations called that statement “terrible.”
London has signed cooperation agreements in recent months with France to strengthen controls there and with Albania, whose nationals arrived in large numbers this year.
