On Sunday, a new record was set in Britain—more than 700 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats on a single day, marking the highest number since Prime Minister Keir Starmer assumed office.
This trend stands in contrast to the prime minister's promise to crack down on human smuggling operations.
According to the UK’s Interior Ministry and AFP, 703 people arrived on British shores in 11 boats on Sunday.
This surge in arrivals comes as the government faces increasing pressure to address illegal migration, a key issue in July's general election.
After taking office, Starmer reversed the previous Conservative government's plan to deport migrants to Rwanda. Instead, he focused on dismantling smuggling networks that charge migrants large sums for the dangerous journey.
This recent increase in migrant crossings follows a period of heightened tensions in the United Kingdom.
Anti-migrant riots broke out after a knife attack on July 29 that killed three children. False reports on social media claimed the attacker was a Muslim immigrant, which fueled the unrest.
To address the ongoing migrant crisis, Prime Minister Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have pledged to work together to combat the rise in illegal migration.
So far in 2024, the number of migrants crossing the English Channel has reached 18,342, which is 13% more than the same period last year.
The previous Conservative government had proposed deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda to deter migrants, but the plan never went into effect.
