Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why?

39 replies

Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 05:48

Non resident UK citizen here who has a genuine question.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLsBb5Xscjg/?igsh=MXE1OHM4NTJoeGtkcg==

Why do these people risk the sea crossing to the UK. Why don’t they stay on mainland Europe. What makes this worth the extra risk?

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLsBb5Xscjg/?igsh=MXE1OHM4NTJoeGtkcg%3D%3D

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
MiloMinderbinder925 · 05/07/2025 12:59

Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 12:48

English wouldn’t be their first language I’m sure. Many English speakers get by perfectly well in all other places in the world.

I accept what you are saying but I just don’t see language alone being very high up on the list of reasons to risk your life. Perhaps family already here and perhaps a perception that you’re less likely to be deported or treated better would make more sense.

Edited
Show quote history

I didn't say that English was their first language, I said that they speak English. Speaking the language makes it easier to navigate a foreign country. Some will have family in the UK, some probably believe they could have a good life here. Many don't have a choice about where they go, they're dependent on smugglers.

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 12:48

MiloMinderbinder925 · 05/07/2025 11:39

You're completely flummoxed by people who speak English or have family in the UK wanting to travel here?

Show quote history

English wouldn’t be their first language I’m sure. Many English speakers get by perfectly well in all other places in the world.

I accept what you are saying but I just don’t see language alone being very high up on the list of reasons to risk your life. Perhaps family already here and perhaps a perception that you’re less likely to be deported or treated better would make more sense.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 05/07/2025 12:30

Titasaducksarse · 05/07/2025 12:23

My argument though is that if you're seeking asylum ie to be safe from persecution, death etc then you are safe in many other countries and do not then need to take a life threatening journey in a little boat.
That cross channel journey surely must be as if not more life threatening than some of the reasons they're seeking asylum
This is why it doesn't add up to me.

Show quote history

Those neighbouring countries can only take so many people though.

CustardCreams88 · 05/07/2025 12:29

Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 11:33

Anyway just seems strange that this little ‘island’ surrounded by water is the preferred place with a risky sea journey in a small rubber boat when Europe is accessible and they are already there.

Edited

Not all asylum seekers are heading to the UK (the majority are not, in fact). More head to Germany, for example. But the ones that try to get here will have their reasons for the preference, which were outlined in one of the first replies. I imagine language is one of the biggest factors as so many people learn English globally. So they anticipate settling here will be easier if they can already communicate in English.

In terms of your query about the risk, many will already have survived the Mediterranean - the Channel seems like small fry in comparison.

MiloMinderbinder925 · 05/07/2025 12:27

Titasaducksarse · 05/07/2025 12:23

My argument though is that if you're seeking asylum ie to be safe from persecution, death etc then you are safe in many other countries and do not then need to take a life threatening journey in a little boat.
That cross channel journey surely must be as if not more life threatening than some of the reasons they're seeking asylum
This is why it doesn't add up to me.

Show quote history

The vast majority of refugees go to neighbouring countries. A small percentage come to Europe and a smaller percentage come to the UK. Perhaps they think they'd have a better life in Britain than in a refugee camp.

Titasaducksarse · 05/07/2025 12:23

MiloMinderbinder925 · 05/07/2025 11:39

You're completely flummoxed by people who speak English or have family in the UK wanting to travel here?

Show quote history

My argument though is that if you're seeking asylum ie to be safe from persecution, death etc then you are safe in many other countries and do not then need to take a life threatening journey in a little boat.
That cross channel journey surely must be as if not more life threatening than some of the reasons they're seeking asylum
This is why it doesn't add up to me.

MiloMinderbinder925 · 05/07/2025 11:39

Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 11:33

Anyway just seems strange that this little ‘island’ surrounded by water is the preferred place with a risky sea journey in a small rubber boat when Europe is accessible and they are already there.

Edited

You're completely flummoxed by people who speak English or have family in the UK wanting to travel here?

Didisquat · 05/07/2025 11:37

Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 11:30

It then makes sense that there should a procedure for people to apply from where they are instead of risking their lives.

It kind of makes me feel like they are ‘forcing’ themselves on a country because there isn’t a process. So they force themselves in knowing that once they are there they cannot be returned or can they? Do the UK deport anyone?

Show quote history

They deport the refusals, unless they abscond. It’s a mess really and the only sensible option would be to be able to apply from a different country or a safe route but then that will come with its own issues. I don’t think it’s ever gonna be fixable

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 11:33

Anyway just seems strange that this little ‘island’ surrounded by water is the preferred place with a risky sea journey in a small rubber boat when Europe is accessible and they are already there.

OP posts:
SummertimeWTFery · 05/07/2025 11:31

Free at delivery health care with no questions asked
An ultra low-admin society compared to eg France where you need to be "in the system" for everything.
Ive rented places in the UK where I havent even been asked to show ID

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 11:30

Didisquat · 05/07/2025 10:34

because the French treat them badly, their aim is always to get to the UK because they know they will have a fair asylum application. In some European countries their application will be refused without them even having an interview. The UK’s asylum process is fair. It’s not about free hotels and benefits it’s about being given a fair chance at asylum.

It then makes sense that there should a procedure for people to apply from where they are instead of risking their lives.

It kind of makes me feel like they are ‘forcing’ themselves on a country because there isn’t a process. So they force themselves in knowing that once they are there they cannot be returned or can they? Do the UK deport anyone?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 11:27

pinkglitter12 · 05/07/2025 10:00

But why dont they just get a plane? It would be cheaper than the fees they pay the smugglers and much safer?

I’m going to assume this is being said tongue in cheek 😂

OP posts:
MiloMinderbinder925 · 05/07/2025 11:18

pinkglitter12 · 05/07/2025 10:00

But why dont they just get a plane? It would be cheaper than the fees they pay the smugglers and much safer?

They're claiming asylum, in order to do that you need to be in the country. There's no such thing as an 'asylum visa'.

Sirzy · 05/07/2025 11:11

pinkglitter12 · 05/07/2025 10:00

But why dont they just get a plane? It would be cheaper than the fees they pay the smugglers and much safer?

A plane to where though? Don’t forget then you need to have visas etc in place to enter.

Didisquat · 05/07/2025 10:34

because the French treat them badly, their aim is always to get to the UK because they know they will have a fair asylum application. In some European countries their application will be refused without them even having an interview. The UK’s asylum process is fair. It’s not about free hotels and benefits it’s about being given a fair chance at asylum.

pinkglitter12 · 05/07/2025 10:00

But why dont they just get a plane? It would be cheaper than the fees they pay the smugglers and much safer?

Titasaducksarse · 05/07/2025 09:51

It's interesting as I'd choose loads of other EU countries to seek asylum before the UK.

Maybe UK government should do a PR piece on 'look how shit we are...choose Denmark instead' or something!

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 09:49

Can’t imagine it and feel very lucky not to be able to.

OP posts:
Notsosure1 · 05/07/2025 09:11

Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 08:59

Thank you. And then what happens to them? They stay in France?

Show quote history

They stay in France, try another country that they think will have better possibilities and will treat them better, or ultimately return to their country of origin, even when there is conflict in some cases. A number of them will try to come to the U.K. again by different means and lose a lot of money doing so, not to mention trying even more dangerous methods, depending on their determination/ desperation. It’s very sad, particularly when children are involved.

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 08:59

Notsosure1 · 05/07/2025 08:51

Because the UK government have an agreement with and are paying France to put more effort into stopping them.

Show quote history

Thank you. And then what happens to them? They stay in France?

OP posts:
Notsosure1 · 05/07/2025 08:51

Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 08:26

I’m not even remotely interested in whether they should be in the UK or not. I want to know what is to be gained by risking the additional channel crossing and why the French stop them? What happens to them now? They simply become the French problem? Why stop them then.

Show quote history

Because the UK government have an agreement with and are paying France to put more effort into stopping them.

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 08:47

vivainsomnia · 05/07/2025 08:36

The reason have been stated above. Remember that they don't access to information like we do. What they hear are rumours, false information and a lot of 'the UK is amazing. The language has a lot to do with it, the healthcare too because however much we think it's awful, internationally, it is seen as the best.

As for the risks, they don't see it as any worse than what they've had to cope with to get there. It's the last stage, all has gone fine so far, that last part will be too.

So they have trekked mainland Europe with the express intention of getting to the UK?

OP posts:
vivainsomnia · 05/07/2025 08:36

The reason have been stated above. Remember that they don't access to information like we do. What they hear are rumours, false information and a lot of 'the UK is amazing. The language has a lot to do with it, the healthcare too because however much we think it's awful, internationally, it is seen as the best.

As for the risks, they don't see it as any worse than what they've had to cope with to get there. It's the last stage, all has gone fine so far, that last part will be too.

Original poster
Ontheedgeofit · 05/07/2025 08:26

MrsSkylerWhite · 05/07/2025 08:24

Here we go again 🙄

I’m not even remotely interested in whether they should be in the UK or not. I want to know what is to be gained by risking the additional channel crossing and why the French stop them? What happens to them now? They simply become the French problem? Why stop them then.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread