First migrants of 2022 arrive in Dover as RNLI bring around 40 people ashore

First migrants of 2022 arrive in Dover as RNLI bring around 40 people ashore
First migrants of 2022 arrive in Dover as RNLI bring around 40 people ashore

The first migrants of 2022 arrived in Dover shouting 'we love you UK' today, as the RNLI brought around 40 people including a baby and five children ashore.

They were brought off the lifeboat in the harbour before being taken to the immigration processing centre at around 10.45am, according to an eyewitness.

The group are the first to make the treacherous 21-mile journey this year due to a brief weather window which brought calmer conditions at sea.

The last to make the crossing came on December 27 when 36 people in one boat were detained. 

It is expected weather conditions will soon deteriorate, making crossings difficult for the next two weeks.    

The crossing follows a record-breaking 28,381 people making the journey last year - dwarfing the 8,410 who made the same treacherous trip in 2020.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought ashore in Dover, Kent, by the RNLI following a small boat incident in the Channel this morning

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought ashore in Dover, Kent, by the RNLI following a small boat incident in the Channel this morning

A man carries a small child after they were brought into Dover, Kent, this morning. The group are the first to make the treacherous 21-mile journey this year

A man carries a small child after they were brought into Dover, Kent, this morning. The group are the first to make the treacherous 21-mile journey this year

People wearing life jackets are seen being escorted by UK Border Force officials as they arrive at the Port of Dover in the first Channel crossing of 2022

People wearing life jackets are seen being escorted by UK Border Force officials as they arrive at the Port of Dover in the first Channel crossing of 2022

A group of people thought to be migrants are seen waving towards the camera as they are brought into Dover, Kent, by the RNLI following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are seen waving towards the camera as they are brought into Dover, Kent, by the RNLI following a small boat incident in the Channel

Priti Patel's Nationality and Borders Bill passes its final reading in the Commons

Priti Patel's Nationality and Borders Bill passed its third and final reading in the Commons last month, with 298 MPs voting for it while 231 voted against.

The Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee had previously written to the Home Secretary, expressing 'concerns' over the legal basis for plans to turn back migrant boats at sea, which form part of the Bill.   

Peers said at the time that the letter added to 'growing concern both in and outside Parliament' over the so-called 'pushback' policy, designed to deter would-be migrants and refugees from crossing the Channel.  

Among other measures, it will crack down on illegal migration by handing fewer privileges to asylum seekers who arrive illegally while increasing prison penalties for traffickers.

But it was the proposal of new powers to turn around migrant boats which caused the most concern. 

Ms Patel insisted the plan has a 'legal basis' when questioned by the committee in October, despite concerns being repeatedly raised over its legality and effectiveness which prompted campaigners to threaten her with legal action.

However, the Home Office's permanent secretary, Matthew Rycroft, previously conceded that only a 'small proportion' of boats could be turned back.

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At least 1,020 boats were intercepted by UK authorities over the past 12 months - with an average of around 78 migrants arriving in

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