United Kingdom confirms initiation of migrant detentions under the collaborative arrangement with France
UK-France Agreement Targets Irregular Channel Crossings
A new agreement between the UK and France, effective from early August 2025, aims to curb irregular crossings of the Channel by migrants. The deal allows the UK to detain and return to France anyone arriving illegally on small boats, provided their asylum claim is judged inadmissible. This agreement, known as the "one-in, one-out" pilot scheme, also reopens legal routes for migrants who pass rigorous checks [1][4][5].
The agreement was ratified following cooperation between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, and has the backing of the EU Commission and several EU countries. It represents a significant bilateral effort to address illegal migration outside broader UK-EU asylum arrangements [1][2][3][5].
Impact on Asylum Seekers
Asylum seekers arriving illegally via small boats will face immediate detention on arrival and potential return to France if their asylum claims are deemed inadmissible. The deal is designed to reduce dangerous crossings by creating a credible risk of return to France. At the same time, it reopens legal routes for migrants who do not attempt illegal crossings and pass rigorous checks, effectively creating a controlled, lawful pathway into the UK [1][4][5].
The number returned weekly is anticipated to be around 50 people, but exact figures are flexible to keep the numbers balanced between returns and legal arrivals. Unaccompanied minors will not be eligible for deportation under the scheme [1][4][5].
Impact on the Reform UK Party
The Reform UK party, known for advocating stricter immigration controls and tougher border enforcement, has not made any specific statements about this agreement in the sources provided [1][4][5].
Other Key Points
- Detentions began for those who arrived in the UK on a small boat on Wednesday. The detained individuals will be held in immigration removal centres pending their removal [1][4][5].
- The whole process of returning someone could take up to three months [1][4][5].
- Applicants for the reciprocal process must upload identity documents, a recent photograph, and pass further security checks and biometric controls [1][4][5].
- The government will cover all costs until the migrant is handed over [1][4][5].
- Interior Minister Yvette Cooper stated that the detentions are an important step towards undermining the business model of criminal gangs along the border [1][4][5].
- The agreement includes a pilot scheme that will run until June 2026 [1][4][5].
In recent weeks, anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters have clashed outside hotels housing asylum seekers in Britain, with some marches turning violent [1][4][5]. The reciprocal process for migrants to submit an expression of interest to come to the UK began on Thursday.
In a separate deal, Rwanda has agreed to take migrants from the US, including a cash grant [1][4][5].
- The "one-in, one-out" pilot scheme, a new agreement between the UK and France, reopens legal routes for migrants who pass rigorous checks, thereby providing a controlled, lawful pathway into the UK.
- The agreement, effective from early August 2025, has the backing of the EU Commission and several EU countries, making it a significant international policy-and-legislation effort to address illegal migration.
- Asylum seekers arriving illegally via small boats will face detention and potential return to France if their asylum claims are deemed inadmissible, a measure intended to reduce dangerous crossings by creating a credible risk of return.
- The UK-France Agreement Targets Irregular Channel Crossings also aims to impact politics, with the Reform UK party, which advocates stricter immigration controls, yet to make any specific statements about the agreement.
