The agreement which aims to dissuade the illegal crossings of the Channel entered into force on Tuesday. A “pilot project” which worries associations for helping foreigners in the field.
Published
Reading time: 4min
A text for “Prevent the dramas of crossings of the Channel“. This is how Bruno Retailleau, Minister of the Interior, presents the agreement between France and the United Kingdom entered into force Tuesday, August 5. He provides for the return to France of migrants who arrived on makeshift boats in the United Kingdom. In exchange, the British authorities promise to accommodate the people who have applied for asylum and with documents in good standing,”Subject to clear eligibility criteria and rigorous safety controls“. The objective is clear: to stop illegal crossings. An agreement does not discourage migrants in Calais, but worries the associations that help them.
The sun hits the laid, where dozens of people crowd for food distribution. Abdohan, 20, is sitting on a bench. He comes from Sudan, loves hip-hop, Tupac, Eminem and wants to study in England. “I started an English license and I would like to finish my course there, finish my trip“He explains.
Arrived in Calais a few days ago, he has not yet tried to cross the Channel. The weather is not very good right now, but he is thinking about it. The agreement between France and the United Kingdom does not worry him. He says he “it is [s]’Not too much interest in politics. Crossing is difficult, but if I try, I will get there“.
During their maraudes, associative activists answer the questions of migrants on this agreement. Angèle Vettorello is coordinator of Utopia 56 in Calais, association for helping foreigners, she notes that “On the ground, people are aware. They are especially worried about the police response and what they can face on the beaches rather than this idea of being returned to France. For the moment, these are things that are not palpable and we do not know how it will be put in place”.
The crossings have slowed down the last days because of the wind. They should resume at the end of the week. Difficult to know what awaits boats and their passengers. “”One can imagine that there are people who will be arrested upon arrival in England rather than being lede in provisional housing. And whose status will be deemed able to be sent back to France, via paths which we do not know how they will be set up“.
As for the legal reception of foreigners in good standing by the United Kingdom, Adrien Delaby, general delegate of the Auberge des Migrants, does not really believe it. “”There is nothing new in this agreement. They present as a novelty to allow a safe path, but it is something that they are already supposed to do. These are often endless files that do not succeed or very little and therefore see it changing so quickly, it seems impossible to me“He comments. He fears on the contrary that the agreement between the two countries comes to complicate even more precarious situations.
“There is even more a risk that people will be returned to France to, ultimately, try to pass with the risk of an endless loop which does not solve the situation at all.”
Adrien Delaby, general delegate of the Auberge des Migrantsin franceinfo
On the other side of the Channel, the British Interior Ministry promises to place migrants in detention at the end of the week to send them back to France. This “pilot project“, intended to combat illegal immigration,”will remain in force until June 2026 and, during this period, the two countries have committed to continuously review and improve the process“Indicates the British Ministry of the Interior.