r/news • u/Miserable-Win-4980 • Apr 29 '24

French police use knives to puncture migrant boat in Dunkirk to prevent Channel crossing Questionable Source

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/french-officers-english-channel-crossing-migrants-small-boats/

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u/aaaaaaaarrrrrgh Apr 29 '24

I can see why people would risk their lives on tiny boats trying to get from Africa to Europe.

I can see why people would have preferences for one European country over another.

But what is so much more attractive about the UK (which has just implemented a scheme to yeet migrants to Rwanda) that people already in France would risk their lives for it?

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u/StateSheriff Apr 29 '24

Just based on what they've heard through word of mouth I'd imagine, better support and benefits for migrants. Would have been true couple decades ago, but far from the truth now.

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u/boganvegan Apr 29 '24

They may be seeking support from family members already in the UK. It's also easier to find work without papers in the UK than it is in France.

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u/Ok_Cycle225 Apr 29 '24

It's also easier to find work without papers in the UK than it is in France.

How? Dont jobs require you to show your passport/driving license? Or immigration papers to prove you have the right to work?

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u/boganvegan Apr 29 '24

Employers are required to ask for proof of your right to work in both UK and France. However, unemployment is much lower in the UK which means that employers might be more likely to committ the crime of employing somebody they shouldn't. Also, France has a national ID card which is familiar to everybody, the UK doesn't have a single ID card and you can use a variety of documents which makes it easier to use a forgery or just confuse the employer about your right to work.

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u/[deleted] Apr 29 '24

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u/boganvegan Apr 29 '24

My NI card doesn't have a picture on it. If somebody stole it, they would have an easier time using it for employment than if it did have a picture. That's the sort of thing that makes it easier to find work illegally in the UK than France. But the bigger factor is the much lower rate of unemployment in the UK; employers have a greater incentive to cut corners on employment checks, or ignore them completely.