The changing face of UK illegal immigration

Reactions range from trying to establish a system that would make the more desperate feel welcome to those of outright hostility, with demands for migrants, few of whom seem to speak English or have ties with this country, to be sent back.

To say the system is confused would be understating it. Rules of asylum laid down by international treaties, to which both France and Britain are signatories, say asylum seekers should request shelter in the first country they land in after leaving their native land.

Events in Calais prove that to be a hopelessly impossible task. Add to the fact that many have destroyed any proof of identity they might have been carrying, making repatriation a well-nigh impossible task.

London Mayor Boris Johnson once estimated that it would take 30 jumbo jet flights a week to repatriate an estimated 500,000-750,000 illegal immigrants living and working here - if the country knew where to send them. Better, he said, to grant a one-off amnesty.

Even among more liberal sections of British society, voices have been raised saying, "there's no room, Britain is full up".

Others say the country should change its welfare system, which allows for migrants and asylum-seekers to be housed and paid weekly benefits. These are seen as a "pull factor", attracting migrants from a variety of places. The irony, of course, is that Britain's steadily improving economy is creating more jobs, another pull factor.

Wars in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan, initiated with Western involvement, are also to blame. No one, least of all the beleaguered British and French governments, knows how it will end.

One thing is for sure - it will end in tears.

The author is managing editor for Europe for China Daily. chris@mail.chinadailyuk.com