Proof migrants make most of our generosity

The fact that four in ten migrants crossing the Channel in small boats are from a peaceful country like Albania, as reported on the front page of last week’s Mail on Sunday, is making a mockery of our generous asylum system.

We are led to believe that the vast majority of people who make those perilous journeys are desperately fleeing war and terror, so it’s infuriating to learn that many are actually living good lives in their own countries.

Bethany Webb, Aberwheeler, Clywyd

Illegal immigration continues to be a serious issue, in spite of the Government’s efforts to identify the gangs responsible.

We should be targeting the favoured means of Channel crossing, the inflatable craft. Introducing an import permit requirement for all importers, with conditions such as a unique identity number and a built-in identity tag for each craft, would make sure every customer would require a licence to purchase one.

Ian Slatter, West Malling, Kent

We ordinary folk could easily have enlightened the powersthat-be that the asylum system is being abused. It’s clear the majority of boat people travel to our country because they want our Government handouts. It is about time that we, as a country, gave priority to our own citizens. Let’s not forget that every one of us paying tax is contributing to these migrant handouts.

Mary Pritchard,

Frome, Somerset

Mark Hookham’s report last week claimed that the largest proportion of those making illegal crossings appear to be economic migrants abusing Britain’s generous asylum system, but that’s not the case at all. They come here to find work; they don’t come here to be supported by our taxes.

R. Denis, Oxford

How about asking countries to invest in Albania and open factories and industry there to provide jobs? These people want to work and there is nothing wrong with that. I’m sure they would rather stay in their own country if it were financially rewarding.

Christina Mitch, Bath

The Mail on Sunday reported that 40 per cent of cross-Channel migrants are Albanians. In 2020, Albanians reportedly formed the greatest percentage of foreigners in UK prisons. Is this simply a coincidence?

Chris Pate, Worcester

It’s so frustrating to see these daily pictures of migrants crossing the Channel as it seems that they are all men. We have enough trouble with the ones we have here already without welcoming more. The Government really needs to find a way to crack down on this.

S. Dustin, Ely, Cambridgeshire