A second migrant has been sent back to France as part of the “one in, one out” arrangement after an unsuccessful High Court challenge. The Eritrean individual was flown from Heathrow to Paris at 6:15 am on Friday, as confirmed by the Home Office. This action follows the deportation of an Indian national the day before, which was praised as a significant development by Keir Starmer.
The government intends for these returns to dissuade individuals from using smugglers to reach the UK. However, distressing images emerged on Friday morning showing children being placed onto a small boat off the French shoreline. One scene captured a man carrying a young child as they entered the Channel, with the vessel departing from Gravelines beach in Calais at daybreak.
Authorities have committed to dismantling the illicit operations of criminal organizations behind the perilous Channel crossings, which resulted in at least 78 fatalities in 2024. During a state visit to the UK, Donald Trump proposed deploying the military to combat trafficking.
Responding to the President’s suggestion, Business Secretary Peter Kyle mentioned the UK Border Force’s enhanced capabilities and collaboration with the Navy, stating that military involvement could be considered if necessary. He emphasized the need for military resources to address broader national defense concerns.
Kyle highlighted the government’s readiness to amend laws to halt the flow of small boats crossing the Channel, expressing a proactive stance on legislative adjustments. Keir Starmer welcomed the initial removal under the France agreement, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating the feasibility of such actions and the necessity to scale up operations.
In a deal reached in July between the UK and France, small boat arrivals will be detained and returned, while Britain will accept an equivalent number of individuals with valid claims who have not attempted the dangerous crossing. Starmer praised the progress made with the first removal and stressed the need to expand such efforts on a larger scale.