France is expected to send the first legally approved group of migrants to the UK from Saturday, although several French NGOs have criticised the agreement as impractical
For the first time under a newly implemented UK–France migrant returns mechanism, Britain has deported an Indian national to France as part of its efforts to deter illegal English Channel crossings. The move marks the operational launch of a “one-in, one-out” arrangement aimed at disrupting smuggler networks responsible for transporting migrants in unsafe small boats.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the deportation as a decisive step in tightening Britain’s border controls. She said the action sends a clear message that individuals entering the UK illegally will face removal and that the government will persist in dismantling criminal smuggling operations.
The UK’s Home Office confirmed more removals are scheduled in the coming days. Simultaneously, the first group of migrants eligible for legal transfer from France to the UK under the agreement is expected shortly. The French government has also acknowledged the deportation, confirming that the individual returned was an Indian national.
The returns arrangement, operational since August, allows Britain to send back migrants who have crossed through a safe country en route to the UK and who are deemed ineligible for asylum. In exchange, France can send an equivalent number of migrants eligible for online UK visa processing
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised that the deportation provides “proof of concept” for the new system, adding that removals must now increase in scale to effectively curb illegal crossings.
The UK continues to grapple with thousands of migrants arriving annually across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Fatal incidents remain a regular concern, with at least 23 deaths recorded this year. Domestic debate over migration management has intensified, fuelling support for hard-line political groups.
The new deportation comes as legal challenges persist. Days earlier, the UK High Court temporarily halted the removal of an Eritrean migrant who claimed to be a trafficking victim. The government is now pushing for accelerated reviews of such claims and plans to reassess modern anti-slavery protections to prevent misuse of the system.
