The United Kingdom and Union Immigration

For years, European citizens as well as immigrants, could casually travel to the UK as they would Sweden, Denmark, and any country within the EU. However, after the December 2019 election, parliament finally accepted the withdrawal from the European Union. This move would drastically change the dynamics of Europe as well as the migration policies within the continent. The UK finalized their leave during the end of January the next year. From then till today, the transition period has been anything but sensible. With France right across the English Channel, the subject has been migration and what Britain is doing about it. 

So, what has sparked such tension between these great European nations? With the increase in migration from French citizens to the UK, British authorities have agreed to start turning away boats carrying illegal immigrants. Hundreds of boats have attempted the journey this year alone. The large question regarding the removal of vessels from one of the busiest channels in the world is how to safely turn back these small boats carrying usually more people than recommended for the vessel.

Why are people attempting to cross the channel in the first place? What does this mean for relations between the UK and France? What question are being asked regarding Britain’s ability to return such immigrants to their countries? 

On the first note, it seems that we should be looking into Frances’s situation rather than Britain’s. This year alone, over eighty-five thousand people have filed for asylum in France. This represents the struggle European countries are facing with migration. The population of asylum seekers in Britain alone has tripled since 2012, requiring over 400 million pounds of tax payer money. Immigrants from war-torn countries such as Afghanistan and other countries aren't finding the necessary resources within other Union countries and are looking elsewhere for aid. With the UK having a stronger economy and much faster route to finding work, people are seeking out such opportunities and attempting the journey across the channel. 

This is creating chaos between France and the UK as original agreements are coming to the table that are causing backlash from both countries. On one hand, you have the UK, who is split from the EU renouncing most connections. However, agreements were already made between the UK and France where Britain would aid its neighbor by funding millions of dollars to stem the flow of migration across the channel. This was made an issue when Home Secretary Priti Patel indicated that Britain could and would withhold over $70 million dollars in funding, which was originally pledged to aid in French migration across the channel. This would have led to France increasing border patrols and deploy more surveillance technology. This created some backlash as the French Interior Ministry warned Britain to not attempt action contrary to international law. 

 

The French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin says "Britain must honor both maritime law and commitments made to France, which includes financial payments to help fund French maritime border patrols". He further commented, "France will not accept any practice that goes against maritime law, nor financial blackmail". Relations are not heading towards a positive direction, instead it has headed towards chaos among immigration and agreements between the European superpowers.