Whistleblowers at an asylum centre in Kent have shared their experiences of processing migrants on peak crossing days. The former RAF base in Manston, Kent, has been transformed into a large processing centre for individuals arriving on buses to seek asylum in the UK. Staff at the facility have expressed their challenges in thoroughly vetting arrivals due to the high volume of migrants at certain times, leading to some individuals being able to roam the streets without proper background checks.

According to reports from the Daily Mail, many migrants inquire about hotel accommodations immediately upon arrival, indicating that this is a key reason for their journey to the UK. Workers at the camp have been instructed not to answer this question directly but to offer distractions like snacks or water instead.

Recently, staff at the facility were required to work overtime to process over 1,000 migrants in a single day. The Manston facility, funded by taxpayers, is the largest asylum seeker processing center in the UK. Originally designed to accommodate up to 1,000 individuals for less than 24 hours, the former RAF base has housed over 4,000 people at a time for up to 33 days.

Despite the challenges faced by staff, they are obligated to record the information provided by migrants, even if they suspect it to be false. Many arrivals share similar stories, with Afghans often claiming to be fleeing from the Taliban.