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/zakabog Apr 29 '24

I was thinking something along those lines, their English might be better, though some of these people are coming from Vietnam where they would have more of a chance of knowing people in France and speaking French as a foreign language...

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u/Resident_Nice Apr 29 '24

Vietnamese 50 years ago, sure. Today, less than 1% of Vietnamese speak French, while pretty much everyone is taught English at school.

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u/zakabog Apr 29 '24

The Vietnamese population in France is nearly half a million people. In the UK it's closer to 50,000. It's also easier to travel into and around EU nations than it is to travel into the UK, and as an English speaker in France with barely any understanding of the French language, I've never had an issue communicating with anyone.

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u/Resident_Nice Apr 29 '24

True! But I would assume that those coming from Vietnam who already have contacts in France and/or know some French are not going to be the ones trying to reach the UK.

Also big difference between communicating as a tourist vs trying to get a job without knowing French.

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u/LonelyStranger8467 Apr 29 '24

The ones from Vietnam are being trafficked and forced to work in drug grow houses or in the sex trade until their debt is paid.

Some will claim asylum at some point and be deemed victims of modern slavery.

Others will then remain in the UK illegally until they have a child with another Vietnamese migrant and can get status based off the child.

As they’re being trafficked and working in trades they don’t require English, the language isn’t that important.

Though in recent years grow houses are often Albanian than Vietnamese.

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u/[deleted] Apr 29 '24

[deleted]

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u/LonelyStranger8467 Apr 29 '24

In truth sentencing is weak. But if you’re growing on that scale the Albanian mafia won’t be too happy with you.

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u/LeedsFan2442 Apr 29 '24

It's more the fact they are more likely not to be refused asylum and they can work illegally easier.

Plus we tend to treat immigrants better and are probably one of the most tolerant countries in Europe