Migration crisis with the United Kingdom: staffing doubled and creation of seven branches to "strengthen the fight against smugglers"

"We are going to strengthen the legal arsenal in the fight against smugglers." The Home Secretary has played the card of firmness in the migration crisis between France and the United Kingdom since the sinking of a migrant boat that killed 27 people last week. The first policeman of France also announced the doubling of the number of officers present for the fight against illegal immigration. The announcement of the creation of seven antennas of the anti-smuggling office, like the fight against drugs, was also revealed by the minister who gave an update in figures on the situation in Calaisis.

Thus “only 5% of migrants file an asylum application in France.

While 60% of migrants are eligible for asylum, ”according to Gérald Darmanin.

After these clarifications, the royal minister above all specified that the French position would remain firm.

“There will be no questioning of the Touquet agreements.

It has nothing to do with the attempted smuggling on the smalls boats.

The smugglers do not ask themselves the legal question of the agreements ”even quipped the Minister of the Interior.

However, boat crossings have increased by 285% in recent years according to official figures, in particular due to the securing of the Channel Tunnel.

Read also Shipwrecks of migrants in the Channel: Calais, the nightmare of all governments

“What we need is an agreement between the EU and Great Britain.

This agreement should not be a simple unilateral readmission agreement ”stressed the tenant of Place Beauvau.

“The UK is not out of the world.

Neither France nor the other countries can be the back-up to British migration policy, ”the Minister further warned.

Prime Minister Jean Castex will write to Boris Johnson on Tuesday to propose an agreement, also announced Gérald Darmanin.