13,000 migrants have crossed Channel since Rwanda plan announced, figures show
Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the deal in April.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More than 13,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel since Priti Patel announced her plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, new figures show.
According to the Ministry of Defence, 176 people made the crossing on five small boats on Sunday, bringing the total to 13,016 since April 14.
It brings the total number of people who have crossed the English Channel so far this year to 18,284.
Photographs taken on Monday morning showed another group of migrants, clad in life jackets and face masks, being brought into Dover by Border Force officials.
A number of children and babies wrapped in light blue blankets, apparently distributed by the authorities, were among those being moved from the vessel to a waiting bus.
One young boy, wearing a rucksack and clutching his blanket, smiled before he boarded the transport.
Analysis by the PA news agency of the MoD’s provisional figures shows 1,885 people have been brought to the UK so far in August.
That is more than half of the 3,053 people rescued in August 2021.
In April, Priti Patel hailed the Rwanda deal as a “world class” plan that provided a “blueprint” for other countries to follow.
“The UK asylum system is collapsing under a combination of real humanitarian crises and evil people smugglers profiteering by exploiting the system for their own gains,” she said.
“This has devastating consequences for the countless men, women and children who have tragically lost their lives or loved ones on perilous journeys.
“A global leadership is required to find new innovative solutions to this growing problem.”
The week in which the deal was announced proved the busiest of the year for migrant crossings, when 2,076 made the journey across the Channel.