France Takes First Step Towards Tackling Illegal Migration on Water

Wed Jan 21 2026 14:26:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant shift in policy, French authorities have conducted their first interception of a 'taxi-boat' transporting illegal migrants towards the UK. This move aims to curb the increasing number of migrants crossing the Channel.

French officials boarded a so-called 'taxi-boat' on the Aa canal during a new operation to prevent illegal crossings to the UK. This action follows an agreement made in July 2025 aimed at enhancing maritime intervention efforts. The use of 'taxi-boats' by smuggling gangs had become a concerning trend, prompting the need for decisive action by authorities.

In a move signifying a shift in migration policy, French officials have successfully intercepted their first 'taxi-boat' aimed at transporting illegal migrants to the UK. The operation took place on February 20 in the Aa canal at Gravelines, situated along France's Channel coast.

This development comes after a renewed commitment by France to intensify intervention tactics in response to the rising pressure from the UK government. The new strategy was agreed upon during a summit in July 2025 between French President Emmanuel Macron and British opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Previously, French law enforcement had only acted to prevent small boats from launching from beaches, determining that at-sea interventions posed greater risks. However, the strategy was forced to evolve due to the cunning tactics used by smugglers, who employed 'taxi-boats' that maneuvered away from police surveillance to collect migrants along the shore.

Official documents reveal that this method achieved an impressive 81% success rate in 2025, leading to an increase in arrivals to the UK, with numbers rising from 36,566 in 2024 to 41,472 in 2025.

The recent operation involved French gendarmes boarding the inflatable 'taxi-boat' as it was suspected of preparing to pick up migrants off the coast. The police, armed with new guidelines that minimize the dangers and liabilities associated with such operations, seized the boat without incident.

These changes in procedure signal a commitment by French authorities to adapt their approach to effectively counter the growing migration crisis while ensuring safety at sea.