The Government of the United Kingdom has announced that since January 2025, more than 20,000 migrants from Europe have entered the country illegally using small boats crossing the area known as the English Channel.
This figure is higher than in any previous year.
Statistics show that on Monday alone, 879 migrants entered the UK, bringing the total number of those who arrived in the first six months of 2025 to 19,982, representing a 50% increase compared to last year.
The situation continues to put pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as his government works tirelessly to reduce the number of people entering the country illegally.
The government says that more than 24,000 people who were not authorized to stay in the UK have been deported since July 2024, and it has also promised to end the use of expensive hotels to house asylum seekers.
In 2024, 73 people died attempting to cross the English Channel using small boats.
Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, recently wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“The number of people crossing in small boats is shocking and will continue to rise as long as we keep providing them with everything they need once they arrive.”
In May, Starmer announced a plan to reduce immigration, saying that the UK risked becoming an “island of foreigners,” a statement that drew widespread criticism.
