Migrant who crossed Channel twice remains in UK, government confirms
The Home Office has confirmed that an Iranian national who recently crossed the English Channel twice has not yet been deported, reports BritPanorama.
Initially detained on August 6, the individual was removed to France on September 19 under the “one in, one out” agreement, which allows the UK to return illegal migrants in exchange for accepting a similar number of asylum seekers from France. However, the individual managed to re-enter the UK by boat on October 18.
Despite promises from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to expedite the return process, the migrant remains in the country at taxpayer expense. Border Security Minister Alex Norris addressed the situation on Sky News, stating, “He hasn’t gone yet but he will be removed.” He refrained from specifying a timeline, but insisted the removal will occur “as soon as possible.”
The details surrounding the case have raised questions about the effectiveness of the UK-France immigration deal, which has reportedly only led to the return of a few dozen migrants. Norris expressed confidence in the system, emphasizing that individuals will continue to test immigration controls, but assured that the authorities are prepared to respond swiftly.
Labour plans to return the individual to France within days, yet concerns persist regarding the efficacy of the current agreement. Around 11,000 asylum seekers have crossed the Channel this year, with only approximately 50 being sent back to France, underscoring a significant imbalance in the deal’s operation.
The Iranian national’s return sparked criticism from opposition parties, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch questioning the implications of the government’s policy. “Does that mean we now have to take two people from France to return him?” she asked, describing the current Labour administration as chaotic and lacking a coherent plan regarding border security.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage similarly denounced the government’s handling of illegal migration, calling the situation a demonstration of the failure of the “one in, one out” policy. As pressure mounts on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to manage illegal migration effectively, he has hinted at the possibility of establishing additional migration agreements with other countries, similar to the previous Rwanda plan.
Amid these discussions, the government has indicated an urgent need to find alternative solutions for processing failed asylum seekers, including talks with Balkan nations to develop return hubs, although initial negotiations have not yielded a deal.
The challenges surrounding the current immigration policy underscore ongoing tensions within UK politics as the government grapples with the realities of migration and public expectations for accountability and control.
This situation illustrates the complexities of managing migration in a highly charged political environment, wherein operational policies must effectively address both national security and humanitarian concerns.
