By Micah Jonah
January 14, 2026
French authorities have banned ten British far right activists from entering or remaining in France after they were accused of targeting migrant boats, harassing asylum seekers along the northern coastline.
The French Ministry of Interior said the group, linked to an organization known as Raise the Colors, had been involved in searching for small boats used by migrants and destroying them, while also carrying out propaganda activities in coastal communities near the English Channel.
Officials confirmed that the ban was issued on Tuesday, effectively blocking the activists from operating on French territory. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said violent or hate-inciting actions have no place in France, stressed that the rule of law remains non-negotiable.
Authorities did not release the names of those affected by the ban; however, an investigation is already underway into an alleged aggravated assault on migrants that occurred in September near the city of Dunkirk. According to groups assisting migrants, four men carrying British and English flags verbally and physically attacked a group of migrants in the town of Grand Fort Philippe, telling them they were not welcome in England.
Raise the Colours said in a statement that it had not received formal notice of the ban and claimed its activities were intended to remain peaceful and within the law, adding that it does not support violence or unlawful conduct.
French security services say they are increasing monitoring of extremist groups following repeated attempts by activists to interfere with migrant crossings, a situation that has raised concerns about public safety and the risk of serious injury to vulnerable people trying to reach the United Kingdom.
The issue has also fuelled political tension in Britain, where far right groups have used the steady flow of Channel crossings to push for tougher immigration measures. Last year, protests were held in several UK towns over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels, putting pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to tighten border controls.
Official data shows that more than forty one thousand people crossed the English Channel in small boats in 2025, an increase from the previous year, though still below the record set in 2022. By mid year 2025 alone, arrivals had already passed twenty five thousand, the fastest pace since records began in 2018.
French officials say the latest bans are aimed at preventing further confrontations on the coast and ensuring that law enforcement, not private groups, handles security and migration control in the region.
