Minister reiterates commitment to protect UK border
North African migrants gathering in France will not evade Britain’s tough border controls, Damian Green insisted today.
This follows media reports of camps being set up near the Eurostar terminal in Paris by migrants hoping to come to Britain. They are fleeing political unrest in North Africa.
Immigration minister Damian Green said: ‘There are strict British immigration controls in place in Paris and additional security checks on transport leaving France for the UK, which have significantly cut the numbers arriving in Britain hidden in lorries.’
The UK government has maintained its stance throughout the developments in Libya that a common asylum system or new laws will not resolve the unprecedented influx of migrants at Europe’s Mediterranean border.
Mr Green added: ‘We are maintaining this strong regime. Britain has offered Italy practical assistance to help maintain border controls and asylum processes. Those seeking international protection are expected to claim asylum in the first safe country they enter.’