Immigration rate hits a record

Frontex, the European Union's external border protection agency, estimates that more than 40,000 migrants entered the EU between January and March 2022. This figure is 57% more than a year ago and includes refugees who entered the EU from Ukraine through border crossings. The number of illegal immigrants trying to enter the EU in the first three months of 2022 has reached its highest level since 2016.

According to the report, this year the Western Balkans region was the most popular route for immigrants, and 50% of immigrants entered the union through this route. Most migrants from Turkey have tried to enter Croatia and Greece, which are members of the European Union, through the Western Balkans. Syrians and Afghans make up the largest percentage of these migrants.

Frontex also added that the number of migrants crossing France through the English Channel into Britain has increased by 190% compared to last year. According to British statistics, more than 28,500 people crossed the English Channel into Britain in small boats last year.

Britain has recently entered into a controversial agreement with Rwanda to extradite people who enter the country illegally to the East African country. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was necessary to "stop human traffickers". International human rights groups have described the British plan as "inaccurate and shocking".

_{Source and Credit: UN, FRONTEX}