Bishops concerned by government’s approach to migrant crossings | Letter

Church of England bishops say it is time for a reappraisal which looks again at serious multilateral approaches to refugees

As bishops within the Church of England with a particular oversight of asylum and refugee issues, we are deeply concerned about the government's approach to migrant crossings of the Channel.

The nationality and borders bill currently before parliament would criminalise not only attempts to cross the border irregularly, nor even simply people smuggling, but even those who take part in the rescue of boats in distress at sea.