Today: 30 May 2025
26 March 2024
2 mins read

UK targets Vietnamese with online ads to deter Channel crossings

The UK Supreme Court had blocked the plan over safety fears, but Sunak has introduced proposals to declare Rwanda “safe” and agreed a new treaty with the east African country to kickstart deportations...reports Asian Lite News

The government on Monday launched a new global social media campaign, aimed at Vietnam in particular, to deter migrants from trying to cross the Channel from northern France on small boats. It comes as statistics showed the number of arrivals using the hazardous and highly contentious route up by 15 percent so far this year compared to the same period in 2023. An increasing proportion of “small boat” arrivals hail from Vietnam, with the southeast Asian nation among the top 10 nationalities for migrants crossing the Channel, according to the UK interior ministry. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made “stopping the boats” one of his top priorities, and claimed to be succeeding when they fell by around a third last year.

A reversal on that could prove politically perilous for the Conservative leader ahead of a general election expected later this year. The new online adverts, which feature real testimonies from those who have previously made the dangerous journeys, are being posted on Facebook and YouTube to target Vietnamese migrants. “The social media posts emphasize the consequences of traveling to the UK illegally, dangers people can expect to face, and set out the risks of being indebted to and exploited by the people smuggling gangs,” the interior ministry said. They also warn prospective migrants of “the reality” of living in Britain “with no right to be in the UK and no access to public services or funding.” It follows a similar campaign last year targeting migrants from Albania, which contributed to a 90-percent reduction in arrivals from the Balkan country, the ministry said. Sunak’s government is also persevering with controversial proposals to deter cross-Channel small boat journeys by trying to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The UK Supreme Court had blocked the plan over safety fears, but Sunak has introduced proposals to declare Rwanda “safe” and agreed a new treaty with the east African country to kickstart deportations. Flights could take off within months if lawmakers approve the draft law. Official figures show 4,244 people have made the Channel crossing so far this year in 2024. That compares to 3,683 in the same 12-week period last year. There were nearly 30,000 such arrivals in total in 2023. The interior ministry has reportedly said that smugglers organizing the crossings are adapting their methods, using bigger boats and packing more people onto them.

ALSO READ-Braverman introduces tougher citizenship rules

Previous Story

US Bolsters Japan HQ for Security Against China, NK

Next Story

Paytm Refutes Layoff Claims

Latest from -Top News

World needs Dubai’s ambition: Morgan

Piers Morgan has hailed Dubai’s transformation as an example of what visionary leadership can achieve. British broadcaster Piers Morgan has praised the extraordinary ambition and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin

Mohammed honours football champions

Ruler of Dubai hails players as role models during palace reception His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, received the

Abu Dhabi sets 2050 energy vision

Abu Dhabi unveils AED400 billion energy roadmap, inked climate finance pact ahead of 2026 UN Water Conference Abu Dhabi has unveiled a sweeping strategic framework to transform its energy and water sector

Gargash: UAE’s pragmatism sets regional example

Anwar Gargash says the UAE stands as a beacon of what is possible when pragmatism and vision come together. As political instability, economic fragmentation and rapid technological change continue to reshape the

US flag returns to Damascus

Billions in energy deals and lifted sanctions mark Syria’s reintegration, as US reopens embassy and declares the war-torn nation “open for business” under new regional partnerships. The United States has reopened its
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Tories face potential wipeout

It comes as Rishi Sunak started a 48-hour tour in

UK panel slams Pak crackdown on minorities

Based on the written submissions and the oral evidence, it