“I Feel English”: Young Migrant’s Dream of Britain Amid Political Pressure Over Channel Crossings

Published: 10th June 2025. The English Chronicle Online

As the political establishment in London prepares for high-level talks on migration with French President Emmanuel Macron, the voice of an 18-year-old South Sudanese migrant is reverberating far beyond the camps of Calais. John, who left his war-torn homeland at the age of sixteen, has expressed a deep-rooted desire to reach the United Kingdom — not simply as an economic migrant or asylum seeker, but as someone who claims to feel intrinsically “English.”

His words, shared in an interview with Sky News, come as the UK government under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer works to finalise a new agreement with France aimed at curbing the number of small boat crossings in the English Channel. The proposed deal, reportedly built around a “one in, one out” principle, would allow for some migrant returns to continental Europe in exchange for Britain accepting selected asylum seekers from within the EU who have existing ties to the UK.

President Macron, during his state visit to London this week, addressed MPs and peers at Westminster, vowing to intensify efforts to tackle what he described as a “shared burden” for Britain and France. Macron emphasised the need for a joint approach grounded in “humanity, solidarity and fairness” — a message that resonates with many but is being tested in the face of a migration crisis that remains complex and politically charged.

In the midst of this, John’s story personalises a debate often dominated by numbers, policies, and headlines. “England is my dream country. It has been my dream since I was at school,” he said, his tone mixing hope with a quiet resolve. “It’s the country that colonised us, and when I get there, I will feel like I am home.”

His remarks, while controversial to some, reflect the complex legacies of British colonial history — and the cultural footprints it has left on former colonies like Sudan. “I feel like I am an English child, who was born in Africa,” he said. John’s sense of connection to the UK appears to be rooted not only in political history but in a deeper aspiration for opportunity and belonging.

The teenager, who hopes to build a career in journalism or human resources, dismissed the dangers of crossing the Channel by boat as merely one more hardship in a journey that has already included years of trauma. “Compared to what I have already endured, the boat is nothing,” he is reported to have said. His determination to contribute to society is evident. “In England, they can give me an opportunity to succeed or to do whatever I need to do in my life,” he stated firmly, reiterating his intent to work hard and integrate if given the chance.

John’s journey began in a country plagued by one of the deadliest conflicts of the 21st century. The South Sudanese civil war, which erupted in 2013 and formally ended in 2020, claimed nearly 400,000 lives, according to data from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Fought between government forces and a range of opposition factions, the conflict displaced millions and left vast regions devastated. The scars of that war, both visible and psychological, are still present in many of those who have fled.

South Sudan’s story is intertwined with Britain’s own history. In 1899, the British Empire, in partnership with Egypt, established joint control of Sudan under the Anglo-Egyptian condominium. That colonial rule lasted until 1956, when Sudan gained independence. A decades-long civil war eventually culminated in the 2011 secession of South Sudan — making it the world’s youngest country, though far from its most stable.

For many migrants like John, the legacy of that shared history is more than just geopolitical. It is, for some, a psychological and cultural bridge that connects distant shores. His belief that Britain is his true destination — not for what it offers materially but for what it represents to him symbolically — brings a human face to the much larger debate on migration, sovereignty, and international responsibility.

While British officials continue to debate quotas, resettlement strategies, and border enforcement, John’s voice — calm, reflective, and quietly assertive — stands as a reminder that migration is not only a political issue but a profoundly human one. His belief that he belongs in the UK may not be enough to satisfy immigration policy, but it forces a difficult question: should national identity be determined solely by birthplace and borders, or can it be shaped by history, aspiration, and belief?

As President Macron departs London and Prime Minister Starmer weighs the potential outcomes of any deal with France, stories like John’s will not go away. They are echoed in tents, camps, and border zones across Europe — stories of young people who, despite everything, continue to dream of a future in a country they believe they understand, even if they have never set foot on its soil. Whether Britain sees them the same way remains to be answered.