The long-standing friendship between Britain and France is once again under strain as record numbers of migrants continue to cross the English Channel in small boats. With more than 21,000 people having made the dangerous journey from northern France to southeast England this year alone, the issue has become central to the upcoming UK visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and his talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The two leaders are expected to announce new actions to curb the small boat arrivals during their summit this week. Their meeting comes as far-right support grows in the UK, putting pressure on Starmer to deliver tough results on border control. Starmer, whose Labour Party came into power after ending 14 years of Conservative rule, has pledged to “take back control” of Britain’s borders — a phrase made famous during the Brexit campaign.
Channel crossings have surged by 48% in the first half of 2025, compared to the same period last year. The UK government blames the increase on extended dry weather and favorable conditions at sea. If the trend continues, this year could surpass the 2022 record of 45,774 arrivals, adding pressure on Starmer’s government as Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party leads in opinion polls.
Despite a 2018 deal known as the Sandhurst Treaty, in which the UK funds French efforts to stop the crossings, British media and politicians are frustrated. Tabloid headlines accuse French officers of doing too little while migrants continue to launch overloaded boats from French beaches. One major complaint is that French law currently limits police action close to the shore — they can only step in at sea to rescue people in danger.
To fix this, France is now considering a legal change that would let its officers stop boats up to 300 meters from the shoreline. This would be a major shift in how the two countries manage the crisis. In addition, a migrant exchange pilot program is being discussed. Under the plan, the UK would return boat migrants to France, while France could send an equal number of eligible individuals — such as those qualifying through family reunification — to the UK.
Will these new ideas solve the Channel migration crisis?
It’s unclear. Some experts believe deeper cooperation is needed, but also say the UK must improve safe, legal pathways for migrants. According to Oxford University’s Migration Observatory, many migrants choose Britain because of the English language, family connections, and the belief that the UK asylum system may offer a second chance after rejection in the European Union.
Data from the UK’s Home Office shows that migrants crossing the Channel between March 2024 and March 2025 were mostly from Afghanistan, Syria, Eritrea, Iran, and Sudan. French officials argue that the UK’s lack of a national ID system makes it easier for migrants to work illegally — a claim that has been challenged by researchers. Employers in both countries are required to verify legal work status, and face punishment for hiring undocumented workers.
One migrant, Rishan Tsegay, a 26-year-old originally from Eritrea, shared her personal journey. She arrived in the UK in 2015 after fleeing through Sudan, Libya, Italy, and France, hiding in a truck to reach safety. Now a British citizen and a nurse, Tsegay says irregular migrants are often wrongly portrayed as criminals. She hopes Starmer and Macron will focus more on safe migration routes to prevent people from risking their lives at sea.
“These people come here to seek safety,” Tsegay said, urging leaders to see migrants as humans in need, not threats. As the summit unfolds, many are watching closely to see whether the UK and France can turn strong words into real solutions for one of Europe’s most urgent humanitarian and political challenges.