Over 13,000 Migrants Cross Channel in 2025 Amid French Police Watch

Over 1,200 migrants, including families with small children, recently crossed the English Channel from France to the UK, marking a significant surge in arrivals for 2025, which is on track to set a record with over 13,000 arrivals so far—about 30% higher than the previous year. French police were observed standing by and even filming as overloaded boats carrying migrants, including toddlers, departed from beaches between Calais and Dunkirk, raising concerns about their inaction despite the evident dangers. The UK government, led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has pledged to crack down on smuggling gangs responsible for organizing these perilous crossings, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighting that calmer weather conditions have enabled an increase in crossings. Despite an Anglo-French deal signed by Rishi Sunak in 2023, French authorities are intercepting fewer migrants, with interception rates dropping to 42.4% this year from nearly 47% the previous year. The International Organization for Migration has reported that 2024 was the deadliest year on record for Channel crossings, with at least 78 migrants dying, including 14 children last year alone. In response, the UK government plans to establish 'return hubs' in Balkan and African countries to facilitate the deportation of failed asylum seekers.