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The Home secretary's plan to turn back migrant boats is not being implemented by border force for fear it will lead to the death of more migrants.
Yesterday, the home office said a record 853 migrants crossed the channel on Wednesday.
It takes the total number this year to 21,050 which is double the number for all of last year.
In separate incidents this week, three migrants died trying to cross the channel.
Priti Patel announced her plan to turn back migrants in a Tory conference last month after she took legal advice, according to the Times.
Border Force has rejected requests to use Ms Patel's new strategy, citing objections such as weather and size of boats being intercepted.
Speaking to the Times, officials said they do not think the policy will be implemented because of conditions which have to be met and the agency's lack of support for it.
Priti Patel announced her plan to turn back migrants in a Tory conference last month after she took legal advice
The border force officer said: 'There is fairly universal agreement that this is not likely to ever happen.
'The captains of the cutters have control of the process and in practice, if they're not willing to use it, it will never happen.'
The official said the force will 'not be easily pushed about' by the Home Secretary but it is the captain of each vessel's decision.
An ally of Ms Patel and Conservative MP said: 'People should be in no doubt about Priti's
