A migrant has been repatriated to France as part of a new ‘one in, one out’ arrangement. The individual, an Indian national who recently arrived in the UK via a small boat, was flown back on Thursday morning. This development marks a significant achievement for the Government following a deal struck with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier in the year.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood lauded the deportation as a crucial initial step, with additional flights anticipated in the coming days. Per the agreement, asylum seekers undertaking perilous sea crossings will be deported, while an equal number of individuals with valid claims will be permitted entry.
Emphasizing the importance of border security, Mahmood stated, “This initial action is pivotal in safeguarding our borders and sends a clear message to individuals entering the UK unlawfully that we will pursue removal. I will actively challenge any eleventh-hour legal attempts to obstruct deportations. The UK remains committed to assisting those genuinely fleeing persecution but through secure, legal, and regulated channels, not hazardous journeys.”
The repatriation occurred following a series of challenges, including a temporary reprieve granted to an Eritrean man due to a legal dispute. The Home Office has lodged an appeal to expedite the man’s evidence submission.
Enver Solomon, CEO of Refugee Council, expressed lingering reservations about the agreement, stressing the need for fair and competent implementation. Solomon underscored the importance of excluding trafficking and torture survivors, as well as children, from deportation flights and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to present reasons against return to France. He advocated for a more holistic strategy that targets criminal networks and expands safe and legal pathways for refugees. Additionally, Solomon urged the reversal of the Government’s suspension of family reunion visas for refugees, particularly impacting women and children seeking secure entry to the UK.
Recent analysis suggested that enhancing the returns deal with France could significantly reduce small boat crossings by 75% within three years, presenting an opportunity for Labour leader Keir Starmer to challenge Nigel Farage effectively. Former Labour Home Secretary Charles Clarke urged policymakers to adopt a pragmatic and humane approach. Public polling indicated substantial support for allowing up to 50,000 asylum seekers into the UK under a ‘one in, one out’ framework.
While the initial intake is anticipated to be limited to 50 individuals weekly, British Future proposed scaling this up by ten to twenty times. The Home Office confirmed imminent deportations, although faced a setback when the High Court temporarily halted one of the planned removals.
A report from think-tank British Future recommended a more expansive approach, potentially accommodating up to 50,000 refugees in an orderly manner in exchange for France accepting unauthorized border crossers. The report highlighted this strategy as the Prime Minister’s most viable option for significantly reducing boat arrivals. Drawing parallels with former US President Joe Biden’s success in curbing illegal crossings from Mexico, the report underscored the potential effectiveness of such an approach.
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