Iran Migrants Flee to UK, Testing New Policies

0:00On March 6, migrants from Iran are showing up in camps near Dunkirk, France, after fleeing recent airstrikes by the United States and Israel. These folks, many traveling through Turkey and Bans, plan to hop on small boats across the English Channel to reach the United Kingdom. Officials say dozens have already arrived, with plenty more on the way. The European Union's asylum agency warns that instability in Iran, home to about 90 million people could spark refugee flows on a scale we've never seen. Just 10% displacement there would match the biggest crises in recent decades. This comes after earlier clashes, like Israel's 12-day war last June and crackdowns on protests. Iranians have long topped the list of asylum seekers to the UK over the past 10 years, making up 11% of last year's Channel Crossings. This year, 2,688 people have arrived in 42 boats so far, including 275 just this week. The busiest day was February 26, with 605 arrivals.

1:04In the UK, home secretary Shabbana Mahmoud is pushing tougher rules, but shorter refugees stays down to 30 months, ending automatic asylum support, and offering 10,000 pounds to failed claimants to leave voluntarily. But over 100 labor MPs are rebelling, calling it harsh and un-bri dish, comparing it to extreme measures abroad. As tensions rise in Iran, expect more boats launching soon, testing these new policies amid growing political pushback. political pushback