Britain reports a nationwide feeling that the country is under siege as the Calais crisis continues. A Labour MP thinks the solution is very simple: the French authorities should send migrants back to their home countries, even though most of them come from war-torn African states.
Gaining control over the situation is still something the authorities struggle with, while waves of migrants die in their attempt of crossing the Eurotunnel. Roughly 150 migrants have already reached Britain’s shores, with 4,000 more expected to force their way in.
Keith Vaz, president of the Home Affairs Select Committee, gave a statement claiming that, even though the efforts of the Kent are to be commended, a solution can only be reached if the EU commissioner, UK Prime Minister David Cameron, and French President Francois Hollande meet face-to-face.
He argued that an end to this crisis is possible only of the French authorities who discover illegal migrants will deport them back, instead of just releasing them into the countryside – which what has been happening until now.
His controversial opinion has angered several of his colleagues, who are in favor of a more sympathetic approach. These desperate immigrants – who are often fleeing from poverty or war – need help rather than being sent back to the same miserable situation they have fled from.
Liz Kendall, the MP for Leicester West, pointed out that there’s a downside to the alternative of suggesting that more countries should come together and share the burden of the immigrants crossing from Libya and other war-zone countries.
She argued that this message sends a green light to the people bringing the migrants over to UK. The business of organized criminality, worth billions of euros, is flourishing in these conditions. Kendall added that if this is the message that goes out there without putting in place other measures, authorities are only encouraging this kind of human trafficking.
Peter Oakford, cabinet member for children’s services at Kent County Council, voiced in as well, pointing to the greatest concern at the moment: the sheer number of 16 and 17-year-olds that need to be put through a reception center, and offered help to deal with the traumatic experiences they have gone through.
Even though the children’s services have integrated all the youths that have been processed so far in a community, Mr. Oakford said the council is struggling to find room for more.
Image Source: Telegraph.co.uk
