A migrant who was repatriated to France under the new “one-in, one-out” agreement has reentered the UK via a small boat, it has been revealed. The individual has been apprehended, and the Home Office is reportedly making arrangements to return him to France once again. The asylum seeker, who remains unidentified, expressed feeling unsafe in Paris as the reason for his return to the UK.
In an interview with The Guardian, the asylum seeker stated, “If I had considered France safe, I would not have come back to the UK.” He recounted being taken to a shelter in Paris where he felt too afraid to venture outside due to concerns for his safety, mentioning the dangers posed by smugglers carrying weapons and knives. He narrated a harrowing experience of falling victim to a human trafficking network in the forests of France before making his initial crossing to the UK from France.
As part of a recent agreement established in July, individuals arriving in the UK by small boat can be detained and sent back to France, with a reciprocal arrangement for asylum seekers with valid claims. The government aims to deter people from resorting to traffickers by increasing the number of returns.
A spokesperson from the Home Office emphasized a strong stance on border control, stating, “We will not tolerate any abuse of our borders and will take all necessary measures to deport those without legal status. Individuals returned under the trial program who attempt to re-enter the UK illegally will be removed.”
Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing as Keir Starmer engages with leaders from the West Balkans in London to address issues related to migration and organized crime. The illicit smuggling of an estimated 22,000 individuals through the region by criminal groups in the past year underscores the urgency of these talks.
The influx of migrant arrivals via small boats in the UK has surpassed 36,000 in 2025, nearing the total arrivals of 36,816 recorded in 2024. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed concern over the border situation inherited from the previous administration and highlighted the government’s efforts to address illegal entry, including the implementation of the bilateral agreement with France to facilitate returns.
Mahmood stressed the need for further action to curb illegal immigration and prevent small boat crossings, asserting a commitment to restoring order at the UK border.