A migrant who was deported to France as part of the new “one-in, one-out” agreement has reentered the UK via a small boat, it was revealed. Authorities have detained the individual, and the Home Office is reportedly working to repatriate him back to France. The asylum seeker, who remains unidentified, expressed feeling unsafe in Paris as the reason for his return to the UK.
In an interview with The Guardian, the migrant stated that he felt Paris was not secure for him, emphasizing that he would not have come back to the UK if he felt otherwise. Recounting his experience, he mentioned being taken to a shelter in Paris where he felt too afraid to leave due to the presence of dangerous smugglers armed with weapons. He narrated falling victim to a human trafficking network in the French forests before crossing to the UK for the first time, where he faced threats of violence.
The UK and France reached a new agreement in July that allows for the detention and return of individuals arriving in the UK via small boats back to France, with an equal number of legitimate asylum seekers being sent in the opposite direction. This initiative aims to dissuade people from resorting to smugglers for illegal crossings, and the government intends to increase the number of returns under this scheme.
A spokesperson from the Home Office emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards border abuse, stating that individuals returned under the pilot program who attempt to re-enter the UK illegally will be promptly removed. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer is meeting with leaders from the West Balkans in London to discuss agreements on migration and combatting organized crime.
The influx of migrants arriving in the UK by small boats has surpassed 36,000 in 2025, nearing the total number of arrivals in 2024. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood criticized the previous government for leaving the borders in disarray, highlighting the need for swift action to address the situation. Mahmood reaffirmed the government’s commitment to detaining and removing illegal immigrants, citing the successful repatriation of individuals arriving on small boats under the new French deal. Plans are in place to further enhance border control measures and prevent unauthorized small boat crossings to restore order to the UK’s borders.