Cities of London and Paris aim to restrict migrants arriving via television broadcasts - Cities of London and Paris to Introduce Migration Control Measures
The United Kingdom and France have collaborated on a new pilot project aimed at combating irregular migration across the English Channel. The initiative, which commenced on Wednesday, is a "one in, one out" returns scheme, designed to balance the detention and deportation of undocumented migrants with the admission of legitimate asylum seekers from France who have family ties in the UK.
Under this arrangement, anyone arriving in the UK by small boat on or after August 6, 2025, can be immediately detained and returned to France if their asylum claim is deemed inadmissible. In return, an equivalent number of asylum seekers from France, vetted through proper documentation and security checks, will be admitted to the UK, thereby preventing uncontrolled growth in irregular arrivals.
The legal basis for this approach is provided by the treaty, with bilateral cooperation focused on dismantling smuggling networks and deterring dangerous Channel crossings. Both French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have emphasized the scheme’s deterrent effect, hoping to significantly reduce the number of irregular Channel crossings.
The agreement is subject to legal scrutiny and transparency with the European Commission and member states, reflecting cooperation that extends beyond just the UK and France. The UK has also provided millions to France to monitor the northern French coast with additional officers and modern technology.
However, the effectiveness of the new procedure in reducing irregular migration across the English Channel remains uncertain. In the first half of 2023, approximately 21,100 people crossed the English Channel to the United Kingdom, marking a 56% increase compared to the same period last year and the highest number ever recorded. It is unknown if the new procedure will be effective in addressing this issue.
Tragically, migrants often lose their lives during these crossings. The new procedure aims to combat smuggling networks, but it remains unclear how it will impact migrants who do not have family ties in the UK. It is also uncertain how the new procedure will affect the total number of migrants to be returned under the agreement, as the UK's Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has stated that the government does not intend to disclose this information.
The launch of the project took place in London and Paris, with France expressing its determination to stop migration flows and prevent tragedies in the English Channel. The agreement does not specify the number of migrants that can be returned or the number of people that can enter via a safe route, leaving room for future adjustments as the pilot project progresses.
- The new pilot project between the United Kingdom and France, addressing irregular migration across the English Channel, is underpinned by policy-and-legislation, particularly the treaty that serves as its legal basis.
- Despite the launch of this project, the effectiveness of the "one in, one out" returns scheme in reducing irregular migration remains uncertain, as evident by the record-breaking migration numbers in the first half of 2023.
- Additionally, the agreement does not outline specific numbers for the return of migrants or admissions through a safe route, indicating a potential for policy adjustments as the pilot project continues.
