A migrant was recently returned to France as part of a new ‘one in one out’ agreement. The individual, an Indian national who arrived in the UK by small boat last month, was flown back on Thursday morning. This development marks a significant milestone for the Government following negotiations with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier in the year.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood praised the deportation as a crucial initial step, with additional flights anticipated in the coming days. As per the terms of the agreement, asylum seekers undertaking perilous sea crossings will face removal, while an equal number of individuals with valid claims will be permitted entry.

Mahmood emphasized the message being sent to those attempting illegal entry into the UK, stating, “If you enter the UK unlawfully, we will take steps to deport you.” She expressed determination to challenge any last-minute legal obstacles to removal, underscoring the importance of safe and legal pathways for individuals genuinely fleeing persecution.

The recent deportation followed a temporary reprieve granted to an Eritrean man earlier in the week due to a legal challenge. Enver Solomon, chief executive at Refugee Council, raised concerns about the agreement, emphasizing the need for fair and competent implementation. Solomon stressed the importance of ensuring that vulnerable groups such as trafficking survivors, torture victims, and children are not subjected to deportation without proper consideration of their circumstances.

In a related development, a report suggested that strengthening the returns deal with France could significantly reduce small boat crossings, potentially by 75% over three years. Former Labour Home Secretary Charles Clarke advocated for a realistic and humanitarian approach, citing polling data indicating public support for allowing up to 50,000 asylum seekers into the UK under a similar ‘one in, one out’ arrangement.

While the initial intake is projected to be limited to 50 individuals per week, there are calls to scale up this figure substantially. British Future, a think-tank, proposed an expanded program that could garner public backing if part of a broader agreement with France. The Home Office faced a setback when the High Court temporarily halted one of the initial planned deportations.

British Future’s report highlighted the potential impact of a larger intake of refugees in a controlled manner, coupled with reciprocal arrangements with France. Drawing parallels to efforts by former US President Joe Biden in reducing illegal crossings from Mexico, the report suggested that such a strategy could yield significant results in curbing irregular migration flows.

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