Eleonore Caroit, a prominent member of France's governing Renaissance Party, has described the United Kingdom as an 'El Dorado' for migrants, largely due to its perceived leniency in asylum policies. Speaking to French media, Caroit, who is a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron and serves as vice president of the National Assembly’s foreign affairs committee, highlighted the complexities of the migrant situation and called for both countries to take shared responsibility. She remarked, “It is… a complex situation, people want simple solutions, but… you have to go to Calais and see what it looks like, and how many small boats you have and how many people are waiting to go to the UK.”

Caroit’s commentary follows mounting frustrations within the UK regarding France’s failure to stem the rising tide of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. Recent statistics reveal a staggering increase of approximately 40% in crossings compared to the previous year, with 14,811 migrants having made the treacherous journey in just the first five months of 2025. Alarmingly, ten lives have been lost this year alone in the perilous attempts to reach British shores. The numbers underscore an urgent humanitarian crisis, as the French authorities have reportedly intercepted only 38% of attempted crossings this year, down from 45% in 2024 and 47% in 2023.

Caroit argued against the criticism directed towards French police for not intercepting boats, clarifying that current law restricts their ability to act once vessels are in the water. In her view, this limitation should be addressed through legislative reforms, enabling officers to intervene in low waters. She stated, "It’s a matter of legislation, but it’s also a matter, again, of what happened after Brexit," referring to the diminishing mechanisms for returning migrants. The end of the UK’s participation in the Dublin Agreement—as a result of Brexit—has complicated the situation, leaving the UK without the ability to return asylum seekers who arrive via France. Caroit suggested that urgent cooperation between French and British authorities is essential to create a framework that effectively manages the situation, emphasizing, “Most importantly, it is important to deter these boats from actually wanting to go to the UK.”

The ongoing discourse surrounding migrant crossings has its roots in historical and political tensions between the UK and France. Previous statements from prominent French officials, such as Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, have echoed Caroit's call for greater British responsibility in addressing the crisis. Darmanin has contended that the UK must implement stricter return policies and offer legitimate pathways for migration to alleviate the overwhelming numbers crossing the Channel. Meanwhile, French Prime Minister Jean Castex has rejected proposals for joint border patrols, maintaining that the UK's policies are central to reducing the crisis.

With the situation increasingly dire, there seems to be a consensus among French officials that Britain’s perceived leniency in asylum processing has made it an attractive destination for many. Initiatives to open safe legal routes for legitimate asylum seekers have been highlighted as critical in curbing illegal crossings and dismantling the smuggling networks that exploit vulnerable migrants.

The rising death toll and the growing number of successful crossings bring into sharp focus the urgent need for collaborative solutions that transcend political posturing. Continued discussions between both nations could pave the way for a more effective management of migration, though the underlying issues tied to Brexit remain a significant barrier.

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Source: Noah Wire Services