There are refugee camps in France close to the channel coast, particularly near the entrance to the Channel Tunnel rail link. If the UK shows that it will consider asylum applications from those who endanger their lives to enter the UK illegally, it will only encourage others to endanger their lives making the same journey.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/12083571/Channel-Tunnel-migrant-will-inspire-copycats-after-exploiting-legal-loophole-says-Eurotunnel.html