Migrants crossing the channel

[Long slender neck]

This issue seems to be back in the news.

Someone went mental and chucked petrol bombs at a migrant centre

And now there's concern about Albanians https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-63473022

[Dunners]

A quiet day at work?

[Long slender neck]

I've got a story lined up about the census results too.

[Long slender neck]

Some comments I've found on The Guardian

People are not just alarmed at the number of people arriving in the boats, they are howling with rage and indignation that this can be allowed to happen, that it apparently cannot be prevented.

There is an argument for open door immigration which I respect, but this has to be a matter of consensus, not just a policy foisted on the British people.

Lastly, people simply cannot believe the idea that these are desperate people when the departure point is the French coast. Articles such as this will not convince them otherwise.

The hyperbole on either side of the debate is astonishing. Yes, the Tory gov is letting us down and yes conditions need to improve.

However you'd think the UK keeps migrants in cages and starvation rations for years, reading and hearing some of the recent media on this. 40,000 people have crossed the channel in boats this year. No wonder the authorities can't cope. Over the past few years, that adds up to over 100,000(s?) people arriving illegally in total - only via boats, not even other routes. There are barely any deportations and it's costing millions a day in temporary housing.

It needs to be sorted out as a priority. Boats need to stop, conditions improved and importantly, only those who actually merit residency should stay. Let's have a honest debate as to why it's appropriate for Albanians to be crossing for example.

To have an asylum system that works, a clear line between genuine and non-genuine individuals needs to be made.

[The Mindsweep]

This may help some on here

[Long slender neck]

Yes but shes talking about genuine refugees.

[Currywurst and Chips]

Albanian PM responds to the Home Secretary's inflammatory language. Some stats from the story

Last week, MPs were told 12,000 Albanians had arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel so far this year, compared to 50 in 2020.

Of these, 10,000 were men - representing 1% of Albania's adult male population.

Albanians now represent the biggest group of those crossing the Channel in small boats.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63489276

[Max B Gold]

Yes but shes talking about genuine refugees.

Which is 85%.

[Long slender neck]

Whats 85%?

[Long slender neck]

Its a bit of a piss take to intentionally get traffiked to Blighty, then claim asylum on the grounds of being traffiked.

[Max B Gold]

Its a bit of a piss take to intentionally get traffiked to Blighty, then claim asylum on the grounds of being traffiked.

[Dunners]

Albanian PM responds to the Home Secretary's inflammatory language. Some stats from the story

Last week, MPs were told 12,000 Albanians had arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel so far this year, compared to 50 in 2020.

Of these, 10,000 were men - representing 1% of Albania's adult male population.

Albanians now represent the biggest group of those crossing the Channel in small boats.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63489276

I recall back in the 90s, we suddenly had lots of Albanians moving into the area. I worked with a few of them at the time, and they all joked about how they had pretended to be Kosovans in order to get asylum. It was often implied at the time that, despite official figures to the contrary, none of the so-called Kosovan refugees were actually from Kosovo.

Many gravitated towards the Barking area where they formed the Hellbanianz street gang which, nowadays, is the main competition for the Somali's control of the East London drug trade. Good to see that they haven't lost their spirit of adventure and free enterprise.

[Long slender neck]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-63499330

Not the most important issue here but, why would you house hundreds of migrants in a London hotel?

[Max B Gold]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-63499330

Not the most important issue here but, why would you house hundreds of migrants in a London hotel?

Are you thinking about putting a few up at your gaff?

[E10EU]

The terminology being used in the media and in political circles is often incorrect and intended to engender negative feelings to the point of hatred towards 'foreigners'.
* Asylum seekers Fact is that anybody can present themselves to the authorities in their country of choosing and claim asylum. There is no legal requirement that the claim has to be made in the first country they enter after leaving their home country.
* Within the EU there is an agreement that asylum should be sought in the first country entered on reaching the EU but Brexit ensured that the UK can no longer refuse asylum seekers on the basis of 'they should have applied in France/ Greece/ somewhere else in the EU Oh dear: the Brexiteers 'shot themselves in the foot'.
* France/ Netherlands etc have no legal right to forcibly detain people who do not wish to remain there.
* To become a lawful immigrant in any other category, such as spouse: there are complex rules, payments, etc and different countries have different rules

BUT: at the point of 'foreigners' arriving on these shores by whatever means (swimming across, inflatable boats, teleporting, hot air balloons, etc.)the details of their reasons for coming here have not yet been recorded and assessed. Therefore there is no lawful basis to deem them 'illegal immigrants' at that stage.

Today's media reported that only about 4% of asylum claims IIRC have been sorted in the past year .......

Maybe, just maybe the government should equip the Home Ofiice with the means and skills to fulfill their legal obligations?

[E10EU]

And just for a bit of perspective globally:

https://www.nrc.no/perspectives/2020/th ... %20cent%20

Quite something when the countries who took on the most refugees in relation to their own population size are:
Lebanon, Jordan, Nauru, Turkey, Uganda, Sudan, Mauritania, Greece

[Dunners]

A genuine question: Has a reason ever been given as to why we've refused the French offer of establishing a migration processing centre in Calais?

[tuffers#1]

A genuine question: Has a reason ever been given as to why we've refused the French offer of establishing a migration processing centre in Calais?

Wasnt it a similar reason to Mexicos response to paying for Trumps Wall .

[Long slender neck]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63488070

"Albanian migrants recruited to the UK by gangs"

Still sure they're asylum seekers?

[Long slender neck]

A genuine question: Has a reason ever been given as to why we've refused the French offer of establishing a migration processing centre in Calais?

No idea but would that realistically stop boat crossings?

[tuffers#1]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63488070

"Albanian migrants recruited to the UK by gangs"

Still sure they're asylum seekers?

Why has the UK Such a big problem recruiting UK drug dealers ?

[Long slender neck]

Outsourcing is the British way.

[Dunners]

A genuine question: Has a reason ever been given as to why we've refused the French offer of establishing a migration processing centre in Calais?

No idea but would that realistically stop boat crossings?

One of the explanations frequently put forward for why people attempt a dangerous channel crossing is that lack of overseas facilities where they can present themselves for an asylum claim. A facility at Calais could provide them with that legitimate and safe opportunity, and therefore reduce the number of attempted boat crossings.

[Long slender neck]

Not convinced it would have a big effect when gangs are using social media to show how 'easy' it is to get across by boat.

[Dunners]

Anyone attempting a sea crossing instead of going through a proper onshore facility would be a justifiable target for suspicion.