Franco-British Deal: Second migrant returns to the UK after expulsion to France

Monday 10 November 2025 - 16:00

By: Sahili Aya

Franco-British Deal: Second migrant returns to the UK after expulsion to France

A second migrant who had been expelled to France under the Franco-British migrant returns agreement has managed to re-enter the United Kingdom by crossing the English Channel in a small boat, British authorities said on Monday. The incident highlights the challenges and limited effectiveness of the recently implemented accord, which aims to reduce illegal crossings.

According to the UK Home Office, the man was identified through biometric data shortly after his arrival and was immediately detained. “His case will be handled urgently, and he will be returned to France as soon as possible,” a spokesperson said.

The migrant reportedly crossed the Channel in a small vessel over the weekend, the spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed during a press briefing.

The Franco-British agreement, signed earlier this summer, establishes a “one-for-one” mechanism: migrants arriving illegally in the UK are sent back to France, while the UK agrees to receive a similar number of asylum seekers from France. However, the arrangement has faced criticism from NGOs and opposition parties, who argue that it has failed to deter migrants from attempting dangerous crossings.

In mid-October, a first migrant who had been expelled to France returned to the UK only weeks later, claiming to be a victim of human trafficking. He was expelled a second time last week, according to BBC reports.

Since the agreement took effect in early August, 94 migrants have been sent to France and 57 people accepted in the UK. Despite promises from the Labour government, the number of Channel crossings continues to rise, reaching 38,726 so far this year — surpassing the total for 2024 (36,816), according to official figures.