UK To Begin Migrant Return Deal With France

The UK government says it will begin enforcing a migrant return arrangement with France within days, following the official approval of a treaty linked to the agreement.

As part of the newly introduced “one in, one out” pilot arrangement, France has agreed to take back individuals who arrive in the UK illegally via small boat crossings. In return, the UK will allow an equal number of approved asylum seekers who have family members residing in Britain.

So far this year, over 25,000 people have entered the UK through small boat journeys. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has committed to reducing this number by targeting human trafficking groups.

Since his sweeping election victory last year, Starmer’s approval ratings have fallen, while Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has gained ground in opinion polls. Meanwhile, tensions have risen in various parts of England, where demonstrations—both opposing and supporting immigration—have occurred near hotels accommodating asylum seekers.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stated on X that the new plan has a “clear objective” to break up the people-smuggling networks.

British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper declined to give an exact number of individuals expected to be returned under this scheme.

“The numbers will start lower and then build up,” she said in an interview on Tuesday, adding that the returns would apply to recent arrivals rather than migrants already present in the UK.

The treaty specifies a processing target of three months from the migrant’s arrival in Britain to their transfer to France. The UK’s Home Office said detentions are expected to begin shortly.

Under the deal, Britain must file a request to return someone within 14 days of their entry. France is not obligated to accept unaccompanied minors or anyone posing known security risks, as outlined in the agreement.

Officials had earlier indicated the plan would initially handle around 50 returns weekly—approximately 2,600 people a year—which remains significantly lower than the 35,000-plus arrivals recorded last year.

Critics argue the small scale may not be enough to discourage further illegal crossings. However, Cooper described the deal as just one component of a broader effort.

In addition to the treaty, authorities are also relying on sanctions, curbing migrant-smuggling content on social media, and cooperating with delivery services to dismantle trafficking networks.