In the past two days, nearly 700 migrants have crossed the English Channel from France to the UK, marking a significant increase in small-boat crossings. Official figures indicate 681 migrants arrived in just two days, with 400 arriving on Friday alone, the first recorded arrivals in 13 days. This surge has prompted discussions around the UK government's immigration policies, especially following the revelation that net migration fell to 171,000 last year, the lowest since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood recently signed a £662 million agreement with France to bolster beach patrols and reduce crossings, which includes funding for new vessels and additional personnel. The government claims to have successfully deterred over 42,000 illegal migrants since the last election and aims to further reduce the incentives for illegal crossings. However, the recent influx has reignited debates about the effectiveness of current policies and the treatment of migrants arriving by small boats.