Channel Crossings Hit Over 10,000 Despite Rough Weather
More than 10,000 migrants have paid criminal gangs to make the perilous journey across the English Channel so far this year. A total of 290 tiny boats have braved the crossing, even with terrible weather conditions throughout April and May – a sharp rise from the same period last year.
Nearly 200 Rescued Off Dover and Dungeness
Yesterday alone, coastguards rescued 198 people from four cramped inflatable boats near Dover and Dungeness. Each tiny craft was packed with around 50 migrants risking their lives on the small, makeshift vessels.
On Tuesday, ten small boats attempted the dangerous crossing carrying 335 migrants. Two boats ran into trouble, with 86 people rescued and returned to France. The remaining eight boats reached UK waters, bringing 249 migrants ashore in Dover where they were processed and entered the UK asylum system.
So far this week, about 500 people have made it across the Channel after a brief pause in smuggling activity due to bad weather.
Home Office Sets First Rwanda Deportation Flight for June 14
The government is gearing up to start deportations under its controversial Rwanda scheme. The Home Office confirmed the first removal flight is scheduled for June 14, with formal Removal Direction letters already issued to a group of asylum seekers.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson sealed the deal with Rwanda in April, agreeing to send an unspecified number of asylum applicants to Kigali. The UK will initially pay £120 million to the Rwandan government to cover housing and integration costs, with additional funds for each person resettled.
Home Secretary Priti Patel is determined the first group will depart as planned, but the Home Office expects legal challenges aimed at blocking the flights.
