In a powerful first-person account, an anonymous asylum seeker currently in the UK has revealed the harrowing journey that led him to risk his life crossing the English Channel, driven by a belief in British justice that he now feels has been betrayed.
A Desperate Flight from Persecution
The writer, who previously held a stable job managing an oilfield in his home country, explains he was not fleeing poverty but targeted persecution from a powerful individual. "Where I am from, when someone like that decides to destroy you, there is no protection, no court you can rely on and no future," he states. After exhausting all legal routes to leave his country, he found himself in France, where he continued to receive threats against himself and his family from the very networks he was trying to escape.
The Perilous Channel Crossing
Faced with ongoing danger in France, the asylum seeker made what he describes as "the most dangerous decision of my life" – boarding a smuggler's small boat to cross the Channel. "I risked my life because I believed in British law and justice," he writes, describing the sight of a UK Border Force boat as a moment he believed signalled salvation and the end of his suffering.
Detention and Disillusionment in the UK
Upon arrival, his experience quickly shattered that hope. He was taken directly for processing without time to recover. "No one listened to our stories or tried to understand who we were," he recalls of the interview process. Designated as one of the unlucky few from his boat, he was sent to a detention centre, which he likens to a prison. He describes an environment of drugs and violence, where phones were confiscated and detainees were mixed with individuals possessing criminal records.
"Our only 'crime' was asking for asylum," he emphasises, criticising the lack of proper legal representation and the overwhelming fear that permeates the system, exacerbated by a violent response to a peaceful protest involving officers with dogs and teargas.
The Threat of Return Under 'One In, One Out'
The asylum seeker is now subject to the UK government's "one in, one out" policy, which allows for the return of asylum seekers who crossed by small boat to France. He argues that clear evidence of threats against him in France has been dismissed by the Home Office on technical grounds, such as translation issues. "It felt like a mockery," he says, questioning how he can trust a country to protect him when it returns people to known dangers.
Questioning the Efficacy of UK-France Deal
He highlights the documented threats awaiting some migrants facing deportation to France and criticises the UK-France agreement as ineffective. "It benefits France, which has received £800m since 2015 from the UK to prevent asylum seekers from coming over. It damages the UK, undermining its reputation for fairness," he contends. Despite the policy being in effect, he notes that over 16,000 people have crossed the Channel since its implementation, with fewer than 250 returned to France, leaving the majority in limbo in hotels or detention centres.
A Plea for Alternative Solutions
The writer concludes with a plea for a more humane and effective approach. "Punishing innocent asylum seekers will never solve this problem," he asserts. He calls for safe and legal routes, fair asylum processing, and genuine cooperation targeting smugglers rather than victims. "The UK does not need harsher detention centres – it needs courage, honesty and leadership," he writes, arguing that the core issue lies with smuggling networks and failed policies, not with those who risk everything seeking safety.
The account was shared with journalist Diane Taylor. A Home Office spokesperson reiterated the government's stance, stating: "We cannot be clearer: migrants arriving in the United Kingdom illegally on a small boat can expect to be sent back to France."
