According to data released by the UK Home Office, 901 migrants crossed the English Channel and entered the United Kingdom between January 14 and 21, 2026. The crossings took place in 14 small boats, as reported by Middle East Monitor. Earlier, on January 5, a small boat carrying 32 people reached the UK, marking the first such crossing of the new year. On the following Saturday, 317 migrants arrived in five small boats, the highest single-day total so far in 2026.

The report notes that in 2025, a total of 41,472 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats, about 5,000 more than in 2024. Despite measures taken by the UK government to curb illegal migration, the number of crossings continues to rise.

The data highlights the ongoing challenge for UK authorities in managing irregular migration across the Channel, as numbers show an upward trend despite enforcement efforts.