UK Appoints “Channel Threat Commander” as Migrant Crossings Surge

Fine summer weather is also prompting more people to make the risky journey across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes — about 20 miles (32 kilometers) at its narrowest point — in vessels as small as dinghies and kayaks

The British and French immigration ministers are due to hold talks this week about the Channel crossings.

Human rights groups have criticized the British government’s harsh rhetoric and accused officials of trying to blame France for the rise in the number of boat crossings.

Bridget Chapman of the Kent Refugee Action Network accused the government of “saber-rattling”, and called for asylum seekers to be given legal ways to come to Britain.

“That would close this route overnight, would save lives, and we would know exactly who was arriving and when,” she said. 

(Writer & Editor: Associated Press) 

Source: https://apnews.com/02c23d36b860d0ca8531cf3b0f640d04