AFP – Britain on Monday launched a new global social media campaign aimed specifically at Vietnam to stop migrants attempting to cross the Channel from northern France in small boats.
It comes as statistics show the number of people arriving using this dangerous and controversial route has increased by 15 per cent so far this year compared to the same period in 2023. This was in response to the
The Home Office says an increasing number of people from Vietnam are arriving by “small boat”, with South East Asian countries now among the top 10 nationalities crossing the Channel.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has made “stopping the boats” one of his top priorities and claimed success when numbers fell by around a third last year.
A reversal could be politically dangerous for Conservative leaders ahead of a general election scheduled for later this year.
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New online advertisements, featuring real testimonies from people who have previously made the dangerous journey, are being posted on Facebook and YouTube targeting Vietnamese immigrants.
The Home Office said: “Social media posts highlight the consequences of traveling to the UK illegally and the risks people can expect to face, and highlight the risk of being exploited and exploited by smuggling gangs.” Ta.
They also warn prospective migrants of the “reality” of life in the UK, where they have “no right to remain and no access to public services or funding”.
The ministry said this follows a similar campaign last year targeting migrants from Albania, which contributed to a 90% reduction in migrants from the Balkan countries.
The Sunak government is also persisting with a controversial proposal to deter small boat travel across the Channel by deporting some asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Britain’s Supreme Court had blocked the plan citing security concerns, but Mr Sunak tabled a proposal to declare Rwanda “safe” and establish a new agreement with the East African country to begin deportations. Agreed to the agreement.
If lawmakers approve the bill, planes could take off within months.
According to official figures, 4,244 people have crossed the Channel so far this year in 2024. This compares to 3,683 people in the same 12-week period last year.
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