If this is like it is in the US, which I suspect it is, they often don’t know it is illegal. They paid everything they had to a group that promised them legal status and a safe journey. It’s gangs running these operations.
Usually, because they know a second language, but the first safe country they pass through doesn’t use that language, or because they’ve got a relative living legally in a different country that they think can help them.
That doesn’t change the fact that international law tells them to seek the first safe country. If you go further you are an illegal immigrant, and over the last 8 or so years I lost absolutely all of my empathy towards those people.
or because they’ve got a relative living legally in a different country that they think can help them.
Ever tried to get a visa? It takes a lot of time and money, and people in these situations have neither.
I’ve never heard of any international law that states as such. A quick search listed the agreements between the US and Canada, as well as the Dublin III agreement in the EU, both of which have exceptions for family members, but neither of these are all-encompassing international laws or would prohibit what’s being described here.
What prevents them from seeking safety in the first safe country? Egypt etc, there are no civil wars there
If this is like it is in the US, which I suspect it is, they often don’t know it is illegal. They paid everything they had to a group that promised them legal status and a safe journey. It’s gangs running these operations.
And by helping them we only help these pirates.
Not likely. The pirates probably aren’t on the boat, only expendable mules. Once the victims are on the boat they have their cash.
Usually, because they know a second language, but the first safe country they pass through doesn’t use that language, or because they’ve got a relative living legally in a different country that they think can help them.
That doesn’t change the fact that international law tells them to seek the first safe country. If you go further you are an illegal immigrant, and over the last 8 or so years I lost absolutely all of my empathy towards those people.
Then get a visa and go the legal way.
Ever tried to get a visa? It takes a lot of time and money, and people in these situations have neither.
I’ve never heard of any international law that states as such. A quick search listed the agreements between the US and Canada, as well as the Dublin III agreement in the EU, both of which have exceptions for family members, but neither of these are all-encompassing international laws or would prohibit what’s being described here.