Increase in Number of Boat Migrants in the English Channel; UK Issues Warning

In recent days, the number of detained refugees and migrants in the waters of the English Channel between France and the UK has increased, with many of them being Iranian. The UK has warned that recent events have become a 'serious issue.' British and French officials rescued around 40 Iranian, Iraqi, and Afghan migrants and refugees on Christmas Day, December 25, while they were adrift in the waters between the two countries in the English Channel. On Wednesday and Thursday, 12 more individuals were found in the waters of the Channel, and on Friday, British officials announced that they had rescued 12 refugees and migrants from Iran and Syria. Recent events have prompted the UK Home Secretary to cut short his holiday to return to his office for discussions on the matter. Sajid Javid, the UK Home Secretary, stated that recent occurrences have turned into 'a serious issue.' Caroline Nokes, the UK Immigration Minister, visited the port of Dover in southeast England on Saturday, January 8, to review the events and dismissed criticisms regarding the government's 'inaction' in addressing the new wave of refugees. Nokes stated that 'extensive intelligence operations are underway' to detain refugees and migrants in France, where they embark on small boats to reach the UK. However, the Immigration Minister emphasized that 'human lives are at risk, and wherever necessary, they will be rescued.' The MP for Dover has also called for the country's patrol vessels, currently participating in search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea, to head to the English Channel. The issue of migrants attempting to cross the Channel by kayak, inflatable boats, and small vessels is not new, with dozens having been rescued and detained in recent months. However, their numbers have significantly increased in the past week or two. The BBC reports, citing the UK police, that crossing the Channel in inflatable boats is like trying to walk across the busy M25 motorway during peak hours. Reports indicate that many of the refugees and migrants who have made it to Calais in France are among those attempting to cross the Channel by boat, especially as surveillance and monitoring by police and border guards in both countries on the roads, including the Channel Tunnel, have increased, making it harder to hide in vehicles and trucks.