A migrant deported from Britain to France under a contentious “one out, one in” agreement with French authorities has returned to Britain via another small boat, highlighting flaws in the arrangement. The deal, introduced earlier this year by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, requires Britain to accept one migrant from France for every boat migrant it returns. However, the scheme has faced criticism for its limited impact, as thousands of migrants continue crossing the English Channel.
The return of a deportee from the initial group has raised questions about the agreement’s effectiveness. The individual, who claimed France was unsafe, stated, “If I had felt that France was safe for me, I would never have returned to the UK.” This development occurs as Starmer prepares to host a summit on illegal immigration with European leaders. A government spokesperson defended the plan, calling it the start of a broader initiative but acknowledging it is not a “silver bullet.”
The episode underscores ongoing challenges in managing migration flows and the complexities of bilateral agreements.
