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Welcome move

THE decision to station British immigration officers at ports in France to check the papers of passengers heading into Britain has been taken not a day too soon. For years now economic migrants from Third World countries have been using the French ports of Calais and Dunkirk to enter Britain and apply for political asylum.

In this way they have not only exploited the hospitality of Britain, they have also made a mockery of the country’s asylum system whose aim is to benefit bonafide victims of political repression and human rights abuses. Furthermore, illegal immigration has become a sensitive topic for Britain’s mainstream politicians who are increasingly hard put to defend the country’s generous asylum laws in the face of attacks by the tabloids and far-right parties. By bringing in a radical package of measures to tackle abuse of the asylum system, Britain hopes to eliminate bogus claims as well as improve the security at its borders. Under the Anglo-French deal, passengers would be refused permission to set off on their journeys if they did not have proper documents. Additionally, security systems are being upgraded at the Channel Tunnel and at ferry ports to check for hidden passengers. It is not the duty of European taxpayers to take care of foreigners whose own governments have failed to deliver rule of law and good governance. Every country has a duty to make sure its citizens don’t become a burden for other countries. The Anglo-French move to stop illegal immigrants sends the right signal to their countries of origin.