According to French media reports, the contentious "one in, one out" agreement between the United Kingdom and France concerning cross-Channel migration is set to conclude in October. The deal, which has faced significant criticism from non-governmental organizations and asylum seekers, allows for the forced return of asylum seekers arriving in the UK via small boats to France, in exchange for the legal transfer of an equal number of individuals from France who have not attempted the crossing.
Deal details and criticisms
Under the terms of the agreement, asylum seekers who reach the UK in small boats can be forcibly returned to France. In return, an equivalent number of individuals in France who have not tried to cross the Channel are brought to the UK through legal channels. Critics have denounced the scheme as unjust due to its seemingly random selection process and inhumane because some returnees report threats to their lives from people smugglers based in northern France.
Migrant advocacy groups have been highly critical. Doctors Without Borders has condemned the scheme as "a cynical bargaining over human lives," providing assistance to those sent back to France and documenting cases of acute stress disorder and disorientation among returnees.
Le Monde report and EU action plan
A report in France's Le Monde cites a French interior ministry source indicating the agreement will not be extended beyond October. Instead, an action plan announced by the European Commission on 18 June is intended to replace the bilateral approach to asylum seekers crossing the Channel to the UK. The Home Office has welcomed the EU Channel action plan, describing it as a more coordinated EU-level response to Channel crossings.
Statistics and Home Office response
According to the Home Office, between September last year when removals began and 9 June this year, 921 asylum seekers were returned to France, while 896 were brought to the UK legally. Between 15 and 22 June alone, 1,939 asylum seekers arrived in the UK on small boats. A Home Office spokesperson stated: "The government's agreement with France has been extended until the autumn. This will ensure we will continue to remove migrants who arrive on small boats over the summer."
Deterrent effect questioned
Critics of the one in, one out scheme have expressed doubts that it has acted as the deterrent intended when Keir Starmer announced the "groundbreaking" deal alongside Emmanuel Macron during the latter's state visit to the UK last July. The Telegraph has reported that people smugglers in France are now making detours, increasing journeys from France to the UK up to 80 miles—approximately four times the shortest cross-Channel journey.
Asylum seekers returned to France have told the Guardian they have received little support there, with some threatened with return to countries such as Syria. Others have returned to the UK for a second time in lorries or small boats, leading to an amendment to the policy this month allowing France to accept back some asylum seekers who have returned to the UK by lorry.
