Latest news with #UKHomeOffice
Local France
a day ago
- Politics
- Local France
France mulls intercepting UK-bound migrant boats at sea
France has long been a launchpad for migrants hoping to cross the Channel and start a better life in Britain. Paying smugglers thousands of dollars, they often board overloaded rubber dinghies to make the dangerous and sometimes deadly journey across one of the world's busiest shipping routes. France and Britain have long vowed to crack down on people smugglers who organise the journey. But until now, French authorities have only intervened on land to prevent boats leaving. But once the vessels are at sea, French authorities have, under international maritime law, so far only intervened if someone's life was in danger. To avoid French authorities stopping them on land, smugglers have in recent years chosen to 'taxi' migrants out to boats waiting in choppy waters just off-shore, rather than depart from the beach. But as more small boats land on English shores, and the UK government comes under mounting pressure from the far right to tackle irregular migration, London has pressed Paris to do more. The French interior ministry on Wednesday told AFP it wanted its rules to 'evolve' so its law enforcement officers could 'intervene in shallow waters and stop 'taxi boats' up to 300 metres from the coast'. It said an inter-ministerial committee had tasked French sea authorities with drawing up an action plan 'by the summer'. The hope, the ministry added, was to have 'shared orientations' in time for a French-British summit that President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend in England from July 8th to 10th. Advertisement In February, London and Paris agreed to extend a deal under which the United Kingdom funds some of France's border security measures to stop migrants trying to reach British shores. Hardline Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has already called for a new approach that would allow French forces to intercept boats in the water. Crossings have since only increased. Some 1,194 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel in small boats on June 1st, a record for this year according to AFP, counting from government data. 'We know more needs to be done with the French to build upon the 10,000 crossing attempts that we have stopped this year, and are strengthening our cooperation to do this,' a UK Home Office official said on Wednesday. Migrants, some travelling with children, have been making the most of the fair weather in recent days to make the sea crossing. On Monday morning, AFP saw dozens of migrants, some from Eritrea, sprint across a northern French beach at sunrise and French police fire teargas in their direction. Wading into the sea up to their waists or higher, some appearing to carry toddlers, they however managed to board a rubber boat. AFP has in the past also seen policemen – who are deployed en masse along northern French beaches – use knives to slash inflatable dinghies on land to prevent departures. Advertisement This is in part why smugglers now prefer the 'taxi boat' system with pickups directly at sea, leading to perilous and often deadly passenger pickups. At least 17 people have died trying to cross the Channel to Britain by boat this year, after a record 78 lost their lives attempting crossing last year. It is not clear how many of them died during departure but an official French report in February noted that the stages of 'boarding and/or return to the beach' were particularly perilous, with an increased risk of drowning or hypothermia. Migrant support organisation Utopia 56 said French authorities intervening at sea would only increase the 'risk of the boat capsizing', and be 'brutal and dangerous'. Thibaut Fleury Graff, an international law professor at Pantheon-Assas University, said any intervention in shallow waters needs legal justification. Under international law, people have 'the right to leave any country' he said. In territorial waters, a state can detain a ship only 'if there is a legal basis' to do so, such as 'the commission of a criminal offence', he said. The alleged offence of 'human trafficking could potentially apply, but it would need to be directed not at the migrants but at the smugglers,' he added.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
France mulls over intercepting UK-bound migrant boats at sea
France has long been a launchpad for migrants hoping to cross the Channel and start a better life in Britain. PHOTO: AFP LILLE, France - France is considering stopping Britain-bound migrant boats in its shallow coastal waters, but the move raises both safety and legal issues. France has long been a launchpad for migrants hoping to cross the Channel and start a better life in Britain. Paying smugglers thousands of dollars, they often board overloaded rubber dinghies to make the dangerous and sometimes deadly journey across one of the world's busiest shipping routes. France and Britain have long vowed to crack down on people smugglers who organise the journey. But until now, French authorities have only intervened on land to prevent boats leaving. But once the vessels are at sea, French authorities have, under international maritime law, so far only intervened if someone's life was in danger. To avoid French authorities stopping them on land, smugglers have in recent years chosen to 'taxi' migrants out to boats waiting in choppy waters just off-shore, rather than depart from the beach. But as more small boats land on English shores, and the UK government comes under mounting pressure from the far right to tackle irregular migration, London has pressed Paris to do more. The French interior ministry on June 18 told AFP it wanted its rules to 'evolve' so its law enforcement officers could 'intervene in shallow waters and stop 'taxi boats' up to 300m from the coast'. It said an inter-ministerial committee had tasked French sea authorities with drawing up an action plan 'by the summer'. The hope, the ministry added, was to have 'shared orientations' in time for a French-British summit that President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend in England from July 8 to 10. Tear gas, knives In February, London and Paris agreed to extend a deal under which the United Kingdom funds some of France's border security measures to stop migrants trying to reach British shores. Hardline Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has already called for a new approach that would allow French forces to intercept boats in the water. Crossings have since only increased. A migrant carries his child and walks in the water to board a smuggler's boat in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France on June 16, 2025. PHOTO: AFP Some 1,194 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel in small boats on June 1, a record for this year according to AFP counting from government data. 'We know more needs to be done with the French to build upon the 10,000 crossing attempts that we have stopped this year, and are strengthening our cooperation to do this,' a UK Home Office official said on June 18. Migrants, some travelling with children, have been making the most of the fair weather in recent days to make the sea crossing. On June 16 morning, AFP saw dozens of migrants, some from Eritrea, sprint across a northern French beach at sunrise and French police fire teargas in their direction. Wading into the sea up to their waists or higher, some appearing to carry toddlers, they however managed to board a rubber boat. AFP has in the past also seen policemen – who are deployed en masse along northern French beaches – use knives to slash the inflatable dinghies on land to prevent departures. This is in part why smugglers now prefer the 'taxi boat' system with pickups directly at sea, leading to perilous and often deadly passenger pickups. 'Brutal and dangerous' At least 17 people have died trying to cross the Channel to Britain by boat this year, after a record 78 lost their lives attempting crossing last year. It is not clear how many of them died during departure but an official French report in February noted that the stages of 'boarding and/or return to the beach' were particularly perilous, with an increased risk of drowning or hypothermia. Migrant support organisation Utopia 56 said French authorities intervening at sea would only increase the 'risk of the boat capsizing', and be 'brutal and dangerous'. Thibaut Fleury Graff, an international law professor at Pantheon-Assas University, said any intervention in shallow waters needs legal justification. Under international law, people have 'the right to leave any country,' he said. In territorial waters, a state can detain a ship only 'if there is a legal basis' to do so such as 'the commission of a criminal offence,' he said. The alleged offence of 'human trafficking could potentially apply, but it would need to be directed not at the migrants but at the smugglers,' he added. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
UK ban South Africa tough politician Julius Malema from di kontri
United Kingdom don permanently ban South African politician Julius Malema entry into di UK. Di UK Home Office tok say dem see di controversial politician 'non-conducive to di public good', as dem cite im support for Hamas and im past comments about white pipo for South Africa. Dis na di second time in two months UK go deny South Africa opposition leader entry into di kontri - but dem tell BBC say dis decision dey 'valid'. We still dey update dis tori!
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
EFF slams UK for 'Cowardice', vows not to trade revolutionary beliefs over Malema ban
EFF says Julius Malema will not trade his revolutionary beliefs for a visa, reaffirming solidarity with Palestine and commitment to fight racial inequality and oppression globally. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has condemned the United Kingdom's decision to deny its leader, Julius Malema, a visa, calling the move a blatant act of political censorship and 'cowardice.' In a statement, the party said it was 'not surprised' by the UK Home Office's confirmation that Malema's visa application was denied due to his political views, particularly his support for Palestine and his stance on racial inequality in South Africa. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the UK had 'effectively banned the President of the EFF due to his position about the genocide of the Palestinian people, his expressed support for the resistance movement fighting against the genocidal Israeli regime, as well as his and the EFF's stance on racial inequality in South Africa.' The party said Malema was initially invited to speak at Cambridge University in May 2025 but was barred from entry. Thambo added that the UK 'has suggested that all further applications by our President are likely to be denied unless he changes his posture on the issues which characterise him as a revolutionary.' He further said: 'The UK has declared the Commander in Chief and President of the EFF an 'extremist' whose presence in the UK would not be conducive to the public good. ''This country, which has a long history of imperialism and still has the blood of Africans dripping from its hands, as its wealth was built on the backs of African people, has suggested that all further applications by our President are likely to be denied unless he changes his posture on the issues which characterise him as a revolutionary.'
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
UK replaces passport stickers with eVisas for some: What you need to know if you're planning your travel
The UK Home Office has started digitizing its immigration system, replacing physical visa stickers with electronic visas (eVisas) for various work and other visa routes. Applicants must create a UKVI account to access their eVisa, while employers need to adjust right-to-work policies. This change aims to streamline the process, reduce travel restrictions, and modernize immigration status verification. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Also Read: UK study visa applications witness a sharp rise despite graduate route cuts Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Create a UKVI account Link their current passport to their eVisa Check their account for accuracy Generate and carry an 'S' share code in case their eVisa is not viewable while travelling Verify that new employees have completed all steps in the pre-travel checklist Conduct right-to-work checks online using the eVisa system Guide applicants with dependants on the differing procedures for family members View their visa status and expiry Share their immigration status with landlords or employers using time-bound share codes Update personal and travel document details Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Non-European nationals granted UK entry clearance through work and specific other visa routes now no longer receive a physical visa sticker in their passports. Instead, applicants will be issued an electronic visa, or eVisa , accessible through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. The move, that kicked off on June 15, is part of the Home Office's plan to fully digitise the UK's immigration to the UK Home Office guidance, this change applies to those applying under the Skilled Worker (including Health and Care), Global Business Mobility, Global Talent, International Sportsperson, Temporary Worker (including Creative Workers and Government Authorised Exchange), Youth Mobility Scheme, and Student visa under these routes will no longer need to hand over their passports at visa application centres for visa vignette placement, reducing travel restrictions and courier delays. They can remain mobile during the processing period, though may still be called for an interview on short with stays under 90 days or dependants of main applicants will continue to receive vignette stickers in their eVisa serves as a digital record of a migrant's immigration status, replacing several physical documents such as biometric residence permits (BRPs), biometric residence cards (BRCs), passport endorsements, and visa vignette stickers. This rollout builds on earlier implementation through the EU Settlement Home Office said, 'Updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.'Expired BRPs and BRCs are no longer valid for travel. Travellers must ensure their eVisa is linked to a valid passport before entering the UK. If the eVisa is not properly linked, carriers may refuse under 18 must also have individual UKVI accounts, with parents or guardians managing them where who have other physical evidence of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or indefinite leave to enter (ILE), such as wet ink stamps or vignette stickers, are advised to apply for a no-time-limit (NTL) eVisa. Individuals eligible under the Windrush Scheme or those applying under the EU Settlement Scheme can also receive an Home Office reiterated that, 'Millions have already received their eVisas since 2018 and more categories will follow as we fully transition to digital status.'Applicants are advised to follow guidance carefully, especially before international travel, and to keep both their passport and immigration details updated in the UKVI system.
