The UK has sent its first migrant back to France under a new ‘one in, one out’ agreement. The individual, an Indian national who arrived by small boat last month, was flown back to France on Thursday morning. This development follows a deal struck with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood praised the deportation as a significant initial step, with more similar flights anticipated in the coming days. As per the terms of the agreement, asylum seekers undertaking perilous sea crossings will be repatriated, while an equal number of individuals with valid claims will be permitted entry.
Ms. Mahmood emphasized the importance of securing borders, sending a clear message to those entering the UK irregularly that they will be subject to removal. She also expressed readiness to confront any last-minute legal challenges to deportations, advocating for safe and legal pathways for genuine refugees.
The recent deportation came after delays caused by a legal challenge that granted a temporary reprieve to an Eritrean man earlier in the week. Enver Solomon, CEO of Refugee Council, raised concerns about the implementation of the deal, stressing the need for a fair and effective process, particularly for vulnerable groups like trafficking survivors and children.
Regarding the potential impact of the returns agreement, a report suggested that ramping up cooperation with France could lead to a 75% reduction in small boat crossings within three years. Former Labour Home Secretary Charles Clarke urged policymakers to adopt a realistic and compassionate approach, citing public support for accommodating up to 50,000 asylum seekers under the ‘one in, one out’ scheme.
While the initial intake is expected to be limited to 50 individuals per week, advocacy group British Future recommends scaling up this number significantly. The Home Office faces challenges as the High Court recently issued a temporary injunction on one of the initial deportation plans.
A think-tank report proposed expanding the scheme to accommodate up to 50,000 refugees in an orderly manner, potentially gaining public backing if coupled with reciprocal arrangements with France. Drawing parallels with US policies, the report highlighted the potential effectiveness of such strategies in reducing unauthorized border crossings.
Overall, these developments underscore the ongoing efforts to manage migration flows and enhance border security, with a focus on balancing humanitarian concerns and national interests.