French President, Emmanuel Macron, and migrants crossing over to France (Image: Getty)
Britain is being used by Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian migrants to sneak across the Channel into France – after coming here legally on visitor’s visas.
The migrants – from French-speaking countries – believe the “back door” or “reverse” route is safer than a dangerous boat journey across the Mediterranean.
They climb into the back of lorries heading to France and then make their way across Europe.
Critics say it is a “complete scandal” as Britain and its authorities are being used to “facilitate” smuggling.
Around 22 Algerians, Moroccans and Tunisians who had come here legally were caught by French border cops in Dover trying to sneak across the Channel in the last few weeks.
Another case earlier this year saw a Moroccan smuggler, who worked as a taxi driver in London, stopped in Dunkirk on January 31. They found 15 men, all Moroccan, in his VW van who had made the journey illegally with the aim of going to Spain.
The driver was jailed for a year for people smuggling and aiding illegal stays.
Sources say another Moroccan man was caught in France with a compatriot and two Tunisians this summer. They hid in his small lorry and made it across the Channel.
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Sources say the new route out of the UK happened because of difficulties of getting into France for French-speaking north Africans. And it is causing problems for the Border Force.
The offence they committed is technically against the French and on French soil, as France’s checks are in Dover.
The Home Office has issued more than 40,000 visas to Moroccans or Algerians.
A source said: “This is a nightmare for Border Force. They are arriving here perfectly legally but then doing everything they can to sneak out.
“It cuts out a huge risk and quickens the process, and makes chances of success a lot higher.”
EU countries have started to strengthen internal border checks amid serious concerns the lack of restrictions on movement in the Schengen Area – a zone of 27 European countries that have abolished border controls – is making it too easy for illegal migrants to travel across the Continent.
It comes as Albanians are also brazenly advertising emergency journeys in the back of lorries for “people who have problems and want to leave England as soon as possible”.
Natalie Elphicke, Tory MP for Dover, said: “People smugglers will use any loophole they can to ply their criminal trade.
“That’s why Britain and France must work together to stop illegal Channel migration in both directions.”
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