UK returns 75 migrants to France - one re-enters after a month

The one in, one our deal aims to deter migrants from crossing the Channel in small boats (PA) Gareth Fuller

The UK government has returned 75 migrants to France under a "one in, one out" scheme while allowing 51 people to enter through legal routes. But the initiative faces scrutiny after an Iranian man re-entered the country by small boat for a second time on October 18, just one month after being returned to France.

The pilot scheme, agreed between the UK and French President Emmanuel Macron and implemented in August, detains and returns individuals who arrive by small boat. For each person sent back, someone applying through safe and legal routes can enter, subject to security checks. Last week alone, 20 people were returned on Thursday and 13 the previous Wednesday.

Channel crossings have already surpassed last year's total. So far this year, 36,954 people have crossed to the UK, exceeding the 36,818 arrivals recorded for all of 2024. The Iranian man involved claims to be a victim of modern slavery, complicating deportation efforts.

Political Debate

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer maintains his approach to stopping small boats is on course. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch seized on the Iranian man's re-entry as evidence the government's border policy is «in total chaos».

A Home Office spokesperson defended the strategy: «For many years, illegal migrants entered our country with no consequence. These returns send a warning to those considering entering this country illegally: if you come here by small boat, you can be sent back. We are scaling up these removals to France and will do whatever it takes to secure our borders.»

Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).