Another 90 migrants crossed Channel on Christmas Day in small boats

Migrant smugglers don’t take Christmas off: Another 90 crossed Channel on Christmas Day in two small boats as 2022 final crossings total heads towards 50,000

• A total of 90 Channel migrants arrived in the UK by small boat on Christmas Day
• It brings the total number who have made the crossing this year up to 45,552
• It comes a week after the Government’s Rwanda scheme was ruled lawful

There was no sign of people smugglers taking a break for the festive holidays after another 90 migrants crossed the Channel on Christmas Day.

The migrants arrived on two small boats yesterday, according to the Ministry of Defence, which keeps track of the number of people who have made the journey.

It comes as the final number of crossings for 2022 heads towards 50,000 in a year that has seen a record-breaking number of migrants make the perilous crossing from France to Britain.

As of midnight on Boxing Day 45,552 migrants were known to have arrived through this method, most of which have been picked up by Border Force boats patrolling the waters. 

The Government says another 90 people crossed the Channel in two small boats on Christmas Day. Pictured: A small boat removed from the water on Tuesday, December 20

The number of migrants who have crossed the Channel so far this year has risen about 45,500

Earlier this week the Government received a boost in its battle to stop people making the journey when the Supreme Court ruled its Rwanda scheme was lawful. 

The controversial plan to transport migrants to the East African nation has sparked outrage from some quarters, but the Government insists it is the best way to deter people from crossing the Channel.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision migrants who have already arrived in the UK said they were fearful of being sent there, calling it ‘really terrifying’.

Abdulhakim, a 24-year-old Ethiopian who arrived in Britain in April and has been staying in a London hotel since then, told AFP: ‘Rwanda is not a safe place – there was a genocide there!’

The Government views that the country, which saw a bloody genocide in 1994, is dangerous are outdated and it’s now a safe destination.

It agreed a £120million deal with Kigali to have illegal migrants sent there, at which point they will have their asylum claims checked. If they are granted asylum they will have to stay in Rwanda instead of being sent back to the UK.

The scheme was subject to a legal challenge by migrants and campaigners, but this was rejected by the High Court on Monday, December 19. 

A small boat used to carry people across the Channel is removed from the water on December 20

This has sparked dismay among some migrants already in the country, with one man who has been here for two years while his claim is assessed saying he ‘can’t sleep anymore’ for fear of what happens.

Amir, an Iranian Kurd who has been in the UK for four years after arriving on a lorry and is in a hotel while awaiting asylum, told AFP: ‘This plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is very scary.

‘It makes people nervous in the hotel. What can they do there?’

Four migrants who drowned after boat capsized as they tried to cross the Channel to UK are still unidentified, inquest hears: Click here to read more 

 

 

However, he remained sceptical that the policy would stem the flow of migrants trying to make the crossing, saying: ‘It’s not going to stop them, they will still come.’

Earlier this month at least four died when their boat capsized, while dozens drowned a year earlier in another tragedy.

Opponents of the Rwanda plan argue it fails to tackle the biggest problem: a lack of safe legal routes for asylum-seekers and refugees to come to the UK.

But Home Secretary Suella Braverman says the plan is ‘humane and practical’.

Speaking after the Supreme Court judgement was announced, she vowed to start sending people to Rwanda ‘as soon as possible’. 

Two judges rejected arguments that the proposal to provide one-way tickets to the east African nation were unlawful, but ruled that the cases against eight individual asylum seekers were not ‘properly considered’ and should be reexamined.

It means that flights to East Africa can begin, with lawyers and charities who fought the decision being urged to accept the Supreme Court’s judgement. 

Addressing the ruling in the Commons on Monday, December 19,  Ms Braverman urged Labour critics to get behind the scheme – but could not say when flights would start.

‘This judgment thoroughly vindicates the Rwanda partnership. I spoke earlier today with my Rwandan counterpart, the Rwandan minister, Vincent Biruta, and we both confirmed our joint and steadfast resolve to deliver this partnership at scale as soon as possible,’ she said.

‘It’s what the overwhelming majority of the British people want to see happen. The sooner it is up and running, the sooner we will break the business model of the evil gangs and bring an end to these illegal, unnecessary and unsafe Channel crossings.

‘Now that our courts have affirmed its legality, I invite the opposition to get behind this plan and I commend this statement to the House.’

But No10 refused to put a timescale on when they could begin, with a spokesman for Rishi Sunak refusing to commit to the first one taking off before the next election, expected in 2024.

Ms Braverman said: ‘I am committed to making this partnership work – my focus remains on moving ahead with the policy as soon as possible and we stand ready to defend against any further legal challenge.’

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