Number of migrants arriving to Britain in small boats drops 36% in 2023
New York PostJan 12, 2024
Report: 1 in 12 London Residents is an Illegal Immigrant
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Above: Migrants depart by boat from Petit-Fort-Philippe Beach and head towards United Kingdom in Gravelines, France on Jan. 17, 2025. Image copyright: Joanna Chichelnitzky/Anadolu/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
Up to 585K illegal migrants reside in London according to a report, constituting one in 12 Londoners and 60% of the over 1M illegal migrants believed to live in the UK.
The study by Leeds-based Edge Analytics says the number ranges from approximately 390.4K to 585.5K. This could now be higher as some of the underlying data is from 2017.
The report, acquired by The Telegraph through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, was commissioned by utility company Thames Water and prepared to determine the number of "hidden" users of the water-supplying firm's service.
The Spin
Left narrative
Immigration enriches a society, driving economic and cultural dynamism. Migrants aren't threats but contributors who fill critical workforce gaps, revitalize communities, and represent the interconnected human experience. Fears of displacement are unfounded; diversity strengthens societies, challenging narrow narratives of identity.
Right narrative
In light of rising crime and security risks, concerns about unchecked illegal immigration are legitimate. Documented cases of violent crimes by asylum seekers, combined with challenges in verifying backgrounds and establishing shared societal values, underscore the dangers of unbridled migration to national security and cohesion.
