Following the Illegal Migration Act in the UK that criminalises migrants crossing the English Channel, asylum seekers are making their way to the UK through France and Italy on foot.
In January, about 250 Indian migrants entered the UK by this means, outnumbering the 233 who arrived via small boats in the first nine months of last year, according to a report.
So far this year more than 40,000 people have crossed the Channel to Britain in small boats, up from 28,526 in 2021. Unusually mild November weather led to a hike in departures.