A total of 51 migrants arrived in Dover on a small boat in the early hours of Wednesday morning, after spending more than 30 hours at sea.
The boat left the Normandy coast on Monday morning and the French coastguard, which shadowed it, said the migrants were in “precarious conditions” and refused help as they were determined to take all risks to reach the UK and they had been on the small boat for more than 33 hours.
British rescue boats were sent to collect those on board, who were then transferred to Border Security Command.
The arrival at 0:30am came after protesters gathered in the Hampshire town of Gosport on Tuesday evening as it was initially believed this is where they would be brought ashore.
A government spokesperson said Border Security Command worked around the clock to protect our border and will continue to detain, check and process every small boat arrival.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said it was tasked by HM Coastguard with assisting those on board “out of concern for their safety and deteriorating health”.
Migrants could later be seen disembarking in Dover wearing orange life jackets and carrying personal belongings.
About a dozen protesters were spotted in the area, with local police having blocked off a nearby road.
Hundreds of anti-migrant protesters, surrounded by police, gathered near Gosport marina on Tuesday evening after the initial reports.
A number of men wearing black, several with face coverings, were at the front of the crowd, with some chanting “send them back”.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said six people were arrested after protesters “became hostile towards officers”.
