In a significant move, France has taken the decision to ban ten individuals from the UK, labeling them as "far-right activists" due to their involvement in measures aimed at halting the flow of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. This announcement was made public by the French interior ministry on Wednesday.
These ten individuals were associated with a group called Raise the Colours, which reportedly engaged in activities such as searching for and destroying small vessels along France's northern coastline. Additionally, they were involved in what authorities described as "propaganda activities" intended to rally public support against migration.
While the identities of these activists have not been disclosed, BBC News has reached out to the UK Foreign Office for a response regarding this issue. In a statement from Raise the Colours, the organization emphasized that it has always insisted its operations remain peaceful and lawful, explicitly stating that it does not endorse violence or illegal actions.
The French ministry noted that they first became aware of the group's actions in December 2025, expressing concern that these activities could lead to "serious disturbances to public order." According to the ministry, the group's efforts appeared to target the British populace, encouraging them to join the movement to combat what they termed a "migratory phenomenon."
As a consequence of their actions, the ten British nationals are now prohibited from entering or residing in France. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez articulated France's firm stance on this matter in a post on X, stating that the country's "rule of law is non-negotiable," and that there is no place for violent actions or hate incitement within its borders.
Raise the Colours responded by indicating that they had not received any official notification regarding the ban, but they understood that it applied to specific individuals rather than impacting the organization as a whole. They characterize themselves as a grassroots initiative advocating for unity and patriotism, actively engaging in a campaign centered around raising the UK flag and documenting occurrences related to "illegal Channel crossings" in northern France.
Their website further asserts that the organization does not condone any form of "vigilante behavior, unauthorized activities, or individuals taking the law into their own hands."
Home Office statistics reveal that in 2025 alone, a total of 41,472 migrants successfully crossed the Channel, marking a 13% increase compared to 2024. This figure represents the highest level of crossings since 2022, when nearly 46,000 migrants made the journey. In early January 2026, data indicated that 32 people crossed the English Channel via small boats from France.
Since the previous year, Raise the Colours has maintained a social media presence, sharing videos that document their activities in France. The trend of small boat crossings has become the predominant method for individuals to be detected entering the UK illegally since 2020. Following persistent pressure from the UK government, France agreed in November to initiate interception measures for small boats in the Channel.
