Record 8,064 Migrants Cross English Channel in 2025

The first four months of 2025 have seen a record number of migrants crossing the English Channel, with 8,064 arrivals reported, surpassing the previous record of 7,567 for the same period in 2024. The significant increase includes a single-day record of 656 migrants arriving on Saturday. Reports indicate that people smugglers have been launching multiple boats simultaneously, taking advantage of favorable weather conditions. The UK government has vowed to crack down on these smuggling operations, with Home Office officials emphasizing the need to dismantle the gangs exploiting vulnerable individuals. Additionally, there have been allegations of the French Navy assisting these crossings by providing life jackets and escorting boats through shipping lanes, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current measures. Critics are urging the government to adopt stricter policies, including cutting foreign aid to countries that refuse to take back their nationals.