French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced on Wednesday that the country has banned 10 British activists who attempted to stop UK-bound migrants from leaving French beaches by destroying small boats.
The Interior Ministry clarified in a press release that the ban applies to 10 far-right activists from the Raise the Colours movement, which calls for an end to irregular migration from France to the UK. These individuals, accused of destroying small boats and propagandizing along the coastline of France’s Nord and Pas-de-Calais regions, will no longer be able to enter or reside in France.
Nuñez stated that France’s “rule of law is non-negotiable; actions of a violent nature or those that incite hatred have no place on our territory.”
On the other hand, the Raise the Colours’ website states that they are a lawful civic movement that does not “encourage, endorse or support anyone travelling to France, approaching migrant vessels, or attempting to intervene in crossings.” Instead, the movement claims its goal is to keep the British government accountable for funds disbursed to France to aid in anti-migration efforts.
A UK Home Office report updated Wednesday notes that over 41,000 UK-bound people crossed the English Channel using small boats in 2025.
Amid rising tensions surrounding immigration and a backlog of asylum claims, the UK government has been trying to reduce overall migration by announcing new reforms, stricter requirements for citizenship, and tougher measures for removal. The government has since published policies in November to reduce the incentives for irregular migrants to come to the UK. The government’s most recent statement announced sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration, boasting almost 50,000 removals.