In A First Under New Migrant Scheme, UK Deports Indian National To France

In A First Under New Migrant Scheme, UK Deports Indian National To France

In recent years, the United Kingdom has witnessed tens of thousands of migrants arriving on its shores annually.

London:

An Indian national has become the first person deported from the United Kingdom to France under a newly established returns treaty between the two European countries aimed at reducing illegal English Channel crossings on small boats. British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described this deportation as "an important first step" in the government's efforts to combat illegal migration coordinated by "smuggler gangs."

"Today marks a significant blow to smuggler networks. The process of removing small boat migrants to France has commenced. I am committed to taking all necessary measures to secure our borders - and this represents a crucial initial step," she stated.

"It conveys a clear message to those crossing in small boats: illegal entry into the UK will result in potential removal."

Britain's interior ministry indicated that additional removals are expected later this week and next, while the first legal arrivals from France are anticipated "in the coming days".

The French government confirmed the deportation, with a source informing AFP news agency that the UK had returned an Indian national.

About The UK-France Treaty

This development comes shortly after the UK and France established a year-long "one in, one out" program to exchange migrants, designed to discourage small boat crossings. Under this arrangement, Britain can return small-boat migrants after their Channel arrival if they are deemed ineligible for asylum, including those who have traveled through a "safe country" before reaching UK shores.

In exchange, London will accept an equivalent number of migrants from France who can apply for UK visas through an online platform. This pilot initiative, which became operational in August, is scheduled to continue until June 2026.

What PM Starmer Said

Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that this deportation provided "proof of concept" demonstrating the viability of the new partnership, noting that his government now needs to increase removals.

"We need to implement this at a larger scale, which was always the intention under the scheme," Starmer remarked.

Illegal Immigration In The UK

The annual arrival of tens of thousands of migrants on UK shores in recent years has fueled domestic tensions and contributed to the rise of Brexit advocate Nigel Farage's hard-right Reform UK Party.

These journeys across one of the world's busiest shipping lanes have repeatedly proven fatal for migrants. According to an AFP tally based on official French data, at least 23 people have died so far this year.

Starmer assumed office in July 2024, pledging to "smash the gangs" behind these journeys, and abandoned a costly program planned by the previous Conservative government to send certain migrants to Rwanda.

Thursday's first removal occurs shortly after London's High Court temporarily blocked the planned deportation of an Eritrean migrant. Mahmood reaffirmed she "will continue to challenge any last-minute, vexatious attempts to frustrate a removal in the courts".

The man had claimed trafficking victim status, and the High Court granted him 14 days to provide evidence. The Home Office planned to petition the Court of Appeal to reduce this deadline on Thursday. Simultaneously, the government announced a "rapid review" of modern anti-slavery legislation "to prevent its misuse".

France will begin sending migrants to the UK under this scheme from Saturday, according to its interior ministry. However, French non-governmental organizations have criticized that aspect of the arrangement as largely impractical.