Franco-British agreement: Migrant expelled to France for the second time

Wednesday 05 November 2025 - 14:40

By: Sahili Aya

Franco-British agreement: Migrant expelled to France for the second time

A migrant has been expelled from the United Kingdom to France for the second time under the new bilateral migration agreement between the two countries, British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced on Wednesday.

“This should serve as a warning: anyone attempting to return to the UK after being deported under the Franco-British accord is wasting their time and money,” Mahmood said in an official statement.

According to the BBC, the individual, of Iranian nationality, was first expelled from the UK on September 19 — becoming the third person deported under the agreement. He then crossed the English Channel again on October 18 aboard a small boat, hoping to claim asylum in Britain, alleging that he was a victim of a human trafficking network operating in northern France.

Upon his return, the man was identified through biometric screening and immediately detained. Mahmood reaffirmed that anyone trying to reenter the UK will be promptly sent back to France.

The Franco-British agreement, signed earlier this year, establishes a “one-for-one” principle: France receives migrants arriving in Britain via small boats, while the UK takes in an equal number of asylum seekers from France.

Although criticized by humanitarian organizations, the deal aims to deter illegal crossings of the English Channel. Since its implementation in early August, 94 migrants have been sent back to France, while 57 have been accepted by the UK. Despite government promises to reduce crossings, official data show that 36,954 people have made the journey so far this year — already exceeding the total of 2024.