Refugees / Asylum seekers crossing the channel
Discussion
Something I’ve long wondered (but, on some levels, have been slightly afraid to ask) is why do Refugees/ Asylum seekers cross the channel to reach the UK?
(can we have sensible answers avoiding any racists/xenophobic comments please)
As we’ve seen from the tragic news stories recently, crossing the channel is a very dangerous thing to do, so the risk/reward ratio of getting to the UK vs staying in mainland Europe (France/Spain/Germany etc) is obviously viewed as high enough to warrant the risk.
Similarly, for the despicable people traffickers, presumably the further the destination/higher number of borders, the trickier the process, so from a (horrible) business point of view, it is not easier to offer passage to mainland Europe?
p.s. I understand why many Refugees/ Asylum seekers LEAVE their countries – this question is about the choice of end destination and the reasons why.
(can we have sensible answers avoiding any racists/xenophobic comments please)
As we’ve seen from the tragic news stories recently, crossing the channel is a very dangerous thing to do, so the risk/reward ratio of getting to the UK vs staying in mainland Europe (France/Spain/Germany etc) is obviously viewed as high enough to warrant the risk.
Similarly, for the despicable people traffickers, presumably the further the destination/higher number of borders, the trickier the process, so from a (horrible) business point of view, it is not easier to offer passage to mainland Europe?
p.s. I understand why many Refugees/ Asylum seekers LEAVE their countries – this question is about the choice of end destination and the reasons why.
dai1983 said:
Reasons are out there on various sites and I've posted the following on the various threads:
-English language
-relatives already here
-tolerant and stable society
So France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Holland etc are not.-English language
-relatives already here
-tolerant and stable society
Blimey, no wonder we wanted to leave the EU. Bloody good job too by the sounds of it.
OddCat said:
dai1983 said:
Reasons are out there on various sites and I've posted the following on the various threads:
-English language
-relatives already here
-tolerant and stable society
So France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Holland etc are not.-English language
-relatives already here
-tolerant and stable society
Blimey, no wonder we wanted to leave the EU. Bloody good job too by the sounds of it.
There is the perception that the UK is the land of milk and honey, the reality is no longer the case, but it is far more affluent than their home country and it takes a long time to change that impression,.
Countdown said:
dai1983 said:
Reasons are out there on various sites and I've posted the following on the various threads:
-English language
-relatives already here
-tolerant and stable society
So if we want to cut down of refugees we all need to become French-English language
-relatives already here
-tolerant and stable society
coolg said:
I don't believe Calais is full of English Speakers with relatives in the UK.
There is the perception that the UK is the land of milk and honey, the reality is no longer the case, but it is far more affluent than their home country and it takes a long time to change that impression,.
I don't believe many of them speak English too fluently either, and some seem to come from places that have French as a 1st language but still don't want to stop in France! There is the perception that the UK is the land of milk and honey, the reality is no longer the case, but it is far more affluent than their home country and it takes a long time to change that impression,.
I think they see our minimum wage and think the UK looks like Utopia - until they see what things like rent cost, but by then it's too late.
Some will have no choice, they have been sold to a smuggler in the U.K. whilst still in Syria etc and they will be expected to reach the U.K, not stop in France, Belgium, Germany. There are brutal consequences if they don’t make it. It’s a desperate situation but some have no choice but to risk the crossing.
All his talk of “they want our benefits” is flawed, the truth is there are people crossing the Channel who aren’t smuggled and just want to reach the U.K., find their contact and work and live under the radar as previously mentioned. A few restaurants in Bristol have been closed down for employing illegal immigrants. They have no intention of claiming benefits, taking up GP appointments and all the other standard far right whinges because that alerts the authorities. It’s quite simple, get caught and they claim asylum; don’t get caught and they try to live and work unknown to the authorities.
Those who are genuinely seeking asylum in the U.K. know what the chances of it being approved are before they leave, all the information is available to them through networks, online etc and through UN camps in Syria and en route. Those who do set out for the U.K. seeking asylum in are not doing it on a wing and a prayer. Eg getting a child a place at a U.K. school is impossible without the Local Authority knowing your refugee status so anyone travelling with children is far more likely to be seeking asylum.
As mentioned by others, the U.K. has a reputation for tolerance and acceptance, I’m proud of that. I believe the vast majority of people are good, if they see their child being educated in the U.K., they will seek employment and become a valued citizen.
All his talk of “they want our benefits” is flawed, the truth is there are people crossing the Channel who aren’t smuggled and just want to reach the U.K., find their contact and work and live under the radar as previously mentioned. A few restaurants in Bristol have been closed down for employing illegal immigrants. They have no intention of claiming benefits, taking up GP appointments and all the other standard far right whinges because that alerts the authorities. It’s quite simple, get caught and they claim asylum; don’t get caught and they try to live and work unknown to the authorities.
Those who are genuinely seeking asylum in the U.K. know what the chances of it being approved are before they leave, all the information is available to them through networks, online etc and through UN camps in Syria and en route. Those who do set out for the U.K. seeking asylum in are not doing it on a wing and a prayer. Eg getting a child a place at a U.K. school is impossible without the Local Authority knowing your refugee status so anyone travelling with children is far more likely to be seeking asylum.
As mentioned by others, the U.K. has a reputation for tolerance and acceptance, I’m proud of that. I believe the vast majority of people are good, if they see their child being educated in the U.K., they will seek employment and become a valued citizen.
coolg said:
There is the perception that the UK is the land of milk and honey, the reality is no longer the case,
In France they are roughing it, then as soon as they arrive here they are put into a hotel. It can then take months to make a decision as to whether they are really in need or not.If you are in Syria/Calais/wherever, and you are seeing pictures on Facebook of someone you know in an all costs paid Hotel, you would probably see a land of milk and honey and contemplate following suit.
Mr Tidy said:
coolg said:
I don't believe Calais is full of English Speakers with relatives in the UK.
There is the perception that the UK is the land of milk and honey, the reality is no longer the case, but it is far more affluent than their home country and it takes a long time to change that impression,.
I don't believe many of them speak English too fluently either, and some seem to come from places that have French as a 1st language but still don't want to stop in France! There is the perception that the UK is the land of milk and honey, the reality is no longer the case, but it is far more affluent than their home country and it takes a long time to change that impression,.
I think they see our minimum wage and think the UK looks like Utopia - until they see what things like rent cost, but by then it's too late.
dai1983 said:
Reasons are out there on various sites and I've posted the following on the various threads:
-English language
-relatives already here
-tolerant and stable society
Yep - all of these, particularly the first. Language is the primary driver. If English cannot be spoken it is widely understood. It's why France has a very high number of migrants from North Africa.-English language
-relatives already here
-tolerant and stable society
Also from a young age many people are taught that the UK is the world centre for learning and self betterment which places the nation as an ambition for all those who wish to better themselves.
Those seeking generous financial support will continue heading north towards Scandinavia.
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