New UK-France deal sees small‑boat migrants detained at Dover – returns expected within weeks.
The UK today activated its chilling new “one‑in, one‑out” deportation pilot, detaining the first group of migrants who crossed the English Channel in small boats. Those intercepted on Wednesday were immediately placed into immigration removal centres, and officials say they could be sent back to France within weeks.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the detentions began at midday, emphasising that anyone embarking on the perilous journey now risks near‑instant detention followed by removal. She vowed to fight any legal challenges, asserting France is a “safe country”.
This pilot emerged from a deal struck in July between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron. The agreement allows the UK to return irregular small‑boat arrivals in exchange for admitting an equal number of asylum seekers from France—but only those who have not attempted to cross illegally and pass strict security and eligibility checks.
In order to expedite returns, UK officials intend to refer migrants to French authorities within three days of arrival; France has 14 days to respond. Simultaneously, a reciprocal web portal is live: asylum seekers in France can apply to come to the UK, providing identity documents and undergoing biometric and security scrutiny. Successful applicants will be allowed three months in the UK to make their claim—but will remain barred from working, studying or accessing benefits.
Though held under tight control, those detained today represent just a tiny fraction of arrivals. On Wednesday alone, 155 migrants reached the UK via Channel crossings, and in total, over 25,000 have arrived so far this year—a near‑50 per cent increase compared to 2024.
Critics blasted the deal as largely symbolic. Refugee charity Care4Calais denounced it as “morally repugnant” and vowed legal action to fight the returns, arguing that offering one person sanctuary cannot justify denying it to someone else. Conservatives labelled it ineffective, pointing to legal loopholes—particularly human rights claims—that could delay or prevent deportations for many.
France’s role in this unsettling policy has drawn scrutiny too. Though the UK emphasises its safety, only those refusing or failing security checks are eligible. Moreover, the UK will shoulder transport costs for both outbound returns and inbound approved applicants.
As the pilot rolls out over the next 11 months, officials remain cautious, stressing this is an early stage. It could be scaled up—or unravelled entirely in the face of legal scrutiny and moral condemnation. Critics warn that, until we see evidence otherwise, the “one‑in, one‑out” scheme may simply be a political spectacle, not a solution.