Why?

[Ontheedgeofit]

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?

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'.

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

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?

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Those neighbouring countries can only take so many people though.

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.

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.

https://www.rescue.org/uk/article/facts-about-refugees-key-facts-faqs-and-statistics Some facts about refugees

also worth remembering that less than 1% of the worlds refugees come to the U.K.