London, UK, May 23, 2024 鈥 Commenting on the Government鈥檚 immigration statistics for the first quarter of 2024, Denisa Deli膰, Advocacy Director at the 探花精选 UK, says:
鈥淭he statistics released today show that the number of people risking their lives to cross the Channel in the first few months of 2024 was 43% higher than in the same period last year. This demonstrates that deterrence policies don鈥檛 work and until the government scales up safe routes, people fleeing conflict in places like Afghanistan will be driven to make dangerous journeys in search of safety.
鈥淲ith the tragic loss of nine lives in this period, it鈥檚 a reminder that unacceptable deaths will continue until safe routes are made available for those who need them.
鈥淭he government must scale up safe routes to ensure fewer people are forced to take dangerous journeys in the first place 鈥 resettlement schemes, a refugee visa and family reunion schemes are more effective and humane alternatives that would offer orderly routes to protection for refugees.鈥