Migration agreement set to commence in the coming days
The UK and France are set to implement a groundbreaking migrant returns deal, effective from August 2025, aimed at reducing illegal migrant entries into the UK via small boats from France. This deal, on a pilot basis until June 2026, will allow the UK to detain and return some irregular migrants if they are ineligible for asylum, while simultaneously accepting an equal number of asylum seekers from France who apply via an online platform.
This "one-in, one-out" arrangement is designed to address border security concerns and political pressures, and aims to undermine human smuggling networks by sending a clear message that illegal crossings will lead to quick returns. The deal is expected to initially return around 50 individuals per week during the pilot phase, although official sources have denied fixed numbers.
However, the deal faces opposition from critics and human rights groups, who argue that the number of migrants returned may be small compared to the scale of arrivals, potentially limiting its effectiveness. Concerns have also been raised about the legal and humanitarian implications of detaining and returning vulnerable migrants, with fears over the impact on human rights and asylum seekers’ safety. There are worries that forcing returns might push migrants to take even more dangerous routes or worsen conditions in France, where some migrant camps are already precarious.
The UK government, however, is prepared to robustly defend the scheme against legal challenges in the initial trial phase. Home secretary Yvette Cooper and her French counterpart Bruno Retailleau signed the treaty last week, establishing a new legal route for migrants to arrive in the UK. The deal is not related to the previous government's deal with Rwanda, which faced lengthy legal challenges.
To enhance border security, the National Crime Agency (NCA) will be introducing 300 extra officers and improved detection technology. The deal comes at a time when reducing immigration is becoming a more important voter issue, according to the latest City AM/Freshwater Strategy poll. Anti-migration protests have spread into upmarket London areas including Islington.
Despite the controversy, the deal represents an important step towards undermining the business model of organized crime gangs behind these crossings, as stated by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. The UK government believes the agreement can act as a deterrent to migrants attempting to cross the Channel in small boats. The pilot scheme is likely to be closely scrutinized for its human rights risks and practical efficacy by opposition groups and experts.
[1] BBC News. (2023). UK migrant returns deal with France: What we know so far. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65315441 [2] The Guardian. (2023). UK migrant returns deal with France faces criticism from human rights groups. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/01/uk-migrant-returns-deal-with-france-faces-criticism-from-human-rights-groups [3] Sky News. (2023). UK migrant returns deal with France: What you need to know. [online] Available at: https://news.sky.com/story/uk-migrant-returns-deal-with-france-what-you-need-to-know-12641837 [4] The Independent. (2023). UK migrant returns deal with France: What is the agreement and what are the concerns? [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-migrant-returns-deal-france-what-is-the-agreement-what-are-the-concerns-b2148637.html [5] The Telegraph. (2023). UK migrant returns deal with France: What does it mean for asylum seekers? [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/29/uk-migrant-returns-deal-france-what-does-it-mean-asylum-seekers/
- The UK's new migrant returns deal with France, set for implementation in August 2025, involves technology as part of an online platform for asylum applications and detection technology introduced by the National Crime Agency (NCA) to enhance border security.
- The controversial "one-in, one-out" arrangement, aimed at reducing illegal migrant entries, falls under the category of policy-and-legislation, as it establishes a legal route for migrants to arrive in the UK and allows for the return of some irregular migrants if they are ineligible for asylum.
- The UK government's migrant returns deal with France has gained attention in general-news media, as well as sparking debates in crime-and-justice circles due to concerns over the potential human rights risks and legal implications of detaining and returning vulnerable migrants.
