The Sudanese and Afghans are replacing their sandals with hiking boots and flip-flops with sturdy trainers in preparation for their trek to freedom.

Approximately 150 people arrived today at a makeshift camp in the picturesque town of Oulx, manned by volunteers. To help the migrants survive the cold mountain temperatures, they distribute donated coats to them.

Even here, after reaching Italy from across Africa and the Middle East, these mostly young men want to go on to France. There have been more than 130,000 migrants arriving in Italy this year – almost double the number in 2021 – after a surge in boat arrivals on the southern Italian island of Lampedusa.

Over the past few months, the number of people traveling north to the French border has doubled. Although France has reintroduced controls on its border with Italy, suspending parts of the Schengen free movement regulations, its authorities continue to detain and push back undocumented migrants.

According to the European Court of Justice, the pushbacks breach EU law and migrants should be subject to an official return decision, adding that forced removal should be viewed as a last resort.

Among those trying to reach France is Nigerian Omar, who spent months in Libya before paying smugglers $800 (£660) to cross the Mediterranean to Lampedusa.

He was then moved to two more camps in Italy before managing to walk to the French border, he says. It is now his goal to reach the United Kingdom. “I just want to live a good life there and study there,” he tells me, an injured foot bandaged.

In addition, if I have to return to Nigeria, my parents will be devastated because their dreams didn’t come true.