Britain has hit a new milestone in illegal migrant crossings across the Channel, with provisional data from the Home Office revealing a significant surge in arrivals. The figures indicate the largest influx since records began, with 9,681 migrants having crossed the Channel so far in 2024.

On Thursday alone, 117 arrivals were recorded, contributing to the unprecedented total for the year. This surpasses the previous record for the January-to-May period, which stood at 9,607 in 2022. In comparison, by the end of May last year, 7,610 migrants had arrived.

The cumulative number of arrivals for 2024 marks a 41% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and a 15% increase over the corresponding period in 2022.

The surge in arrivals comes amidst ongoing efforts by authorities to tackle illegal immigration. Earlier this week, 50 migrants were brought from Belfast to Britain, prompting debates surrounding asylum-seeker policies.

In April, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s refusal to accept returned asylum seekers who had crossed into Ireland sparked controversy. However, recent reports revealed that groups of migrants, including children, were detained by Irish police and returned to the UK.

Meanwhile, the Home Office has been actively implementing deportation measures, with the recent initiation of ‘Operation Vector. This operation involves the detention and deportation of asylum seekers who arrived via small boats, with the first flights to Rwanda expected to depart in the coming months.

The Home Office emphasized the necessity of swift action, stating that the escalating number of crossings underscores the urgency of implementing deportation measures. The department continues to collaborate closely with French authorities to prevent illegal journeys across the Channel.

As Britain grapples with the complexities of immigration policy and enforcement, the government remains committed to addressing the issue through legislative measures and international partnerships.