LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister David Cameron has defended his policy of restricting immigration, arguing that illegal migrants are trying to "break into" the country.

Cameron told the BBC on Saturday that Britain has been one of the "most generous countries" in Europe for granting asylum to refugees, even though it has faced criticism for failing to take in any of the ever-rising numbers of migrants.

Cameron has faced criticism since winning re-election in May for chaotic scenes involving migrants at the Channel Tunnel. Hundreds of migrants in France have tried to storm fences and other tunnel security measures to try to enter Britain.

The Conservative leader says "what we can't do is allow people to break into our country."