Small boat migrant removed again after return to the UK
An Iranian man, initially deported to France under the UK–France “one-in-one-out” agreement, has been removed from the UK again after re-entering the country on a small boat. He returned on 18 October and was identified through biometric data before being detained, reports BritPanorama.
The individual was first sent to France in September, but managed to return to the UK just weeks later. The process of his removal took almost three weeks, despite the Home Office declaring it as “expedited.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated, “Anyone looking to return to the UK after being removed under the UK-France agreement is wasting their time and money.” She emphasized that immediate detection occurred via biometrics, leading to his detention. Mahmood reaffirmed her commitment to increasing the removal of illegal migrants and securing UK borders.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by UK ministers to demonstrate the effectiveness of the UK–France returns pact. So far, 94 migrants have been removed under this treaty, while 57 individuals have entered the UK legally through the same process, after undergoing thorough documentation, security checks, and eligibility assessments.
While officials are keen to increase deportations, sources in France indicated to Le Monde that authorities are “dragging it out” to leverage ongoing funding negotiations surrounding the Sandhurst pact, which is valued at £476 million over three years and is set to expire in March.
Additionally, French authorities have obstructed plans to intercept migrant dinghies at sea, citing safety concerns, despite commitments made during the Starmer-Macron summit to address this issue.
The situation surrounding migrant crossings in the Channel remains complex, reflecting the broader challenges associated with international migration policies and bilateral agreements.
