What's happened
The UK has deported migrants to France under a new 'one-in, one-out' scheme aimed at reducing Channel crossings. Over the past week, four migrants have been returned, with legal challenges delaying some deportations. The deal seeks to curb dangerous crossings and establish legal routes for migrants with UK connections.
What's behind the headline?
The implementation of the UK-France migrant deal marks a significant shift in border policy, emphasizing bilateral cooperation over unilateral measures. The 'one-in, one-out' scheme is designed to deter risky crossings by creating a legal alternative for migrants with UK ties, but its effectiveness remains uncertain. Legal challenges, such as the High Court blocking some deportations, highlight ongoing judicial resistance. The deal also reflects domestic political pressures, with the UK government seeking to appease public concern over migration while facing criticism from opposition and human rights groups. Ultimately, this approach will likely reduce small boat crossings in the short term but may not fully address the underlying push factors driving migration from France. The long-term impact depends on France's willingness to accept returns and the UK's ability to establish sustainable legal routes.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that four migrants have been deported to France, describing the deal as a 'historic agreement' and emphasizing the government's stance that illegal entry will not be tolerated. Al Jazeera highlights the legal challenges, including a High Court ruling blocking a deportation, and notes that the deal was initially aimed at exchanging 50 migrants weekly. Politico provides details on the first deportation, a man crossing in August, and notes that further flights are scheduled. All sources agree that the scheme is part of a broader effort to curb dangerous crossings, but legal and political hurdles remain, and the effectiveness of the scheme is yet to be proven.
How we got here
The UK and France signed a bilateral 'one-in, one-out' migrant deal in July, aiming to reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. The agreement allows France to accept return of migrants without UK family ties, while the UK grants asylum to those with UK connections. The deal emerged amid rising crossings, with over 32,000 attempts this year, and increased political pressure on the UK government to address migration issues.
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Common question
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Why Is the UK Deporting Migrants to France Now?
The UK has recently stepped up its efforts to deport migrants to France as part of a new scheme aimed at managing migration flows and reducing dangerous crossings across the English Channel. This move has sparked questions about the reasons behind the deportations, how the scheme works, and what it means for migrants and UK policy. Below, we explore the key details and answer common questions about this controversial approach.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.
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France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.