AIBU to be deeply concerned about the recent influx of 30k+ undocumented arrivals in Spain?

I was just about to post the same thing, Clavinova

It's a bit odd to see denials of something that's plainly there on record about Lammy's attempts, but maybe howls of "rubbishh" and "lies" are all some have left when faced with inconvenient facts?

Because we provide so many benefits for them.

Its rarely Europe, the vast majority of asylum seekers or people feeling war/terror go to other ME or African countries. We as in the UK take very few, very few as a percentage fo the overall total come here.

People are more likely to go to other ME and African countries if they are of a view that they want to go back, you cant exactly claim asylum as such in Syria for example.

Many of the women and girls are already out but in places like that or neighbouring countries.

And more to the point, why are they so desperate to get to England

There are a lot of blood fueds and violent family histories that families decide the male offspring should get away from, they're at higher risk of the violence from this

Thanks, @likelysuspect, that's interesting.

But - for many of the points, and particularly the one I've quoted above - why does it have to be Europe? I say that because, surely a country of similar cultural and religious beliefs which is nearer to them ought to be their destination if claiming asylum?

Have to say that after my fleeting initial concern - I am actually quite reassured by the speed and force with which the Spanish authorities stepped in to control this.

Am pleased it has lead to a Europe wide discussion over the issue, though, and hopefully there will be an investigation into the social media campaign that sparked it, into what drove that many young men (it is always men) to want to get to take advantage of it. There needs to be a global discussion on how to support the nations these economic migrants are leaving - could the foreign aid we send be put into enterprise development funds, training and education so that local economies are stimulated and citizens better qualified so that their earning power and material wealth can be enhanced?

What does concern me is the motivation behind the media campaign - by diverting the Europe's attention to Cueta, has it provided an opportunity for other illegal immigration and smuggling activities to take place elsewhere? Was it a ‘Hey, look, squirrel!’ diversionary tactic by the smuggling rings?

He certainly seemed obstructive regarding the release of detailed crime statistics;

20 July 2026
The Ministry of Justice has launched a legal challenge to prevent the publication of detailed crime statistics on foreign nationals...

https://londonlovesbusiness.com/david-lammy-ministry-of-justice-migrant-crime-data-ico-appeal/

😂

British Pakistani individuals are arrested near or slightly above the White British rate

Bullshit.

Because Brian is a very English name so in their mind it’s acceptable to refer to Brian as being a domestic abuser and slag the English people off. You can see the ridiculous illogical thinking in what that poster has said can’t you. They think it’s unacceptable to use the name Mohammed but somehow seem ok with using Brian and haven’t mentioned anything about that! How strange.
These people seem quick to jump on the bandwagon of calling those who speak up about it immigration a ‘racist’ yet they seem blind to their own racism.

Well in terms of very young men, so late teens its to avoid conscription to the various regimes of their home countries. We see a lot of that

There are a lot of blood fueds and violent family histories that families decide the male offspring should get away from, they're at higher risk of the violence from this

Males are generally seen as needing to protect the rest of the family, get out there and make a life for themselves, perhaps its too late for the parents, the girls and mothers are seen as needing to remain where they are, they are usually in other places of safety but not progressing a life (perhaps not seen to need to progress their lives).

Women are seen as caregivers rather than go getters. So the males are the ones who need to break away

Yup it’s all the usual rubbish they say on every single thread. They don’t have anything else to say.

I don’t think the question I have asked has been answered throughout this thread despite the same question being asked by multiple posters… it’s the same across other threads too. All they can do is throw the racist card about or some other shit from the script they use that’s been done to death for decades now. Of course, one of them had to throw in the obligatory “Tommy and Nigel” comment, very randomly without any previous reference to Tommy or Nigel on this thread lol.

Genuine question: in your opinion and experience, what is the reason it’s largely men?

I do know the various responses to this question from a range of viewpoints, but you will be better-informed than most of us.

These people NEVER. answer questions in my experience on here. They can’t, can they, without showing up their position as totally untenable.

They prefer to throw out cheap and hackneyed jibes and then run away, somehow convincing themselves they’ve argued their point.

I suppose poor Brian doesnt count?

I work with asylum seekers. I am supportive of a need to provide asylum in general but Im not blind or in denial to the problems of the asylum system, the process, the countries that many of the men come from (and it is largely men).

One talks in short hand on a forum on a Sunday morning. Its not a dissertation or court report. So Mohammed it is. And Brian

None of that is true. They are more likely to be put straight in detention centres prior to deportation, since there is little or no chance of establishing a need for asylum from Morocco.

So what about using Brian then to refer to violent men? That was once a very commonly used name! Still very many Brians around. I know about 6 of them. Or using Brian ok because it’s an English name? It’s right up there with calling someone a “Karen” in a negative way!

The French don't give refugees dinghies etc. HTH.

You know this was initially to talk about illegal migrants compared to British citizens. But you should know that there are "British" Mohammads who commit crime. (Think about the grooming gangs).

British Pakistani individuals are arrested near or slightly above the White British rate.

As I said I lived in East London for 30 years and this has not been my experience at all.

It really isn't about 'distracting' from the conversation.

If you don't see anything wrong about people using a name commonly used in Britain and held by many citizens as a 'catch all' to refer to asylum seekers then it is on you.

But then I am not racist or xenophobic or islamophobic so I guess our minds work differently...

Zoe Garbett, the new Mayor of Hackney looks to be a likely candidate;

29 July 2026
Garbett used her Mayor’s Speech at Tuesday night’s full council meeting to boast: “Hackney Council does not facilitate any immigration enforcement actions, nor work with the Home Office, and never will under my administration.”
https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/home-office-rebukes-hackneys-green-party-mayor-over-immigration-enforcement-claims/

How on earth are they gong to come to the UK from Africa? Most will go straight back to Morocco.

Unlawful immigration has reduced substantially under the current government, but I'm sure you don't want to let the facts get in the way of trying to whip up panic and resentment.

You seem keen for a riot about home grown rapists and murderers. Why don't you organise one?

I've been to the GP and saw a woman floundering with the receptionist due to her lack of English. Met multiple people in east London who struggle with English. Try to ask for food recommendations and they don't understand what I'm trying to say.

There are also some very nice taxi drivers who don't really have the best command of the English language.