Migrant back in UK after 'one in, one out' return

An Iranian man who was removed to France under the new UK–France “one in, one out” pilot has re-entered the UK by small boat and is again in detention. BBC News reports he was first detained on 6 August, removed on 19 September and came back on 18 October. The Guardian says he alleges exploitation by smugglers in northern France.

Here’s the scheme in plain terms. Announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer alongside President Emmanuel Macron in July 2025, the pilot lets the UK send some small‑boat arrivals back to France. In exchange, the UK accepts the same number of people from France who have a case for protection and have not tried the crossing. The Home Office says the treaty underpinning this came into force on 4 August.

What it means: for every person returned to France, one person in France with an approved route is brought to the UK after checks. As of this week, BBC News and the Guardian report 42 removals to France under the pilot, with 16 on one flight, and 23 people accepted for arrival via the safe route.

The man’s timeline matters for understanding process. According to BBC News and Sky News, he arrived by small boat on 6 August, was removed to France on 19 September as the third person sent back under the deal, and re-entered on 18 October. He says he feared for his life in France due to smugglers.

Let’s clarify a key term you’ll hear a lot: modern slavery. The Home Office defines it as situations where people are recruited, moved or controlled through force, coercion, deception or abuse of vulnerability for exploitation. It includes human trafficking, slavery, servitude and forced labour.

If you think someone might be a victim, the UK uses the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). First responders (for example police, certain charities and immigration officers) can refer a person for a “reasonable grounds” decision. A positive decision gives access to support while the case is assessed for a final “conclusive grounds” decision. Support can include safe accommodation, basic financial help, and specialist advice.

Rights check for learners and teachers: being in immigration detention does not stop someone from being referred to the NRM, and people can seek legal advice about trafficking claims. The Home Office’s statutory guidance sets out these rights and responsibilities for frontline staff and competent authorities.

What happens in France after return? The Guardian reports that some returnees say they felt unsafe or ended up without stable accommodation, while France’s interior ministry told the paper returnees are accommodated while assessed and that “Dublin” procedures may apply if fingerprints match another EU country. This shows how experiences and official statements can differ - a useful media‑literacy point to discuss in class.

Courts are already testing the pilot. In September, a UK judge granted an interim injunction to an Eritrean man raising a trafficking claim, temporarily halting his removal. BBC News later reported the government won a separate case that led to a removal going ahead. Legal routes and safeguards run alongside the policy.

Where the numbers stand: as at 21 October 2025, 36,734 people had arrived in the UK by small boat this year. BBC News says crossings on Wednesday likely pushed the annual total above the 36,816 recorded in 2024, with 369 people crossing on 18 October. The record year remains 2022 with 45,755.

Policy timeline to watch: the Financial Times reports the UK–France pilot is currently set up for roughly a year, running until June 2026, and ministers say it will scale if it works. Downing Street has also stressed the returns deal is not a “silver bullet”, signalling other measures will continue. Use this to frame debates about what success should look like.

Language note for classrooms: use people‑first terms (people seeking asylum, not “illegals”). Distinguish between smuggling (paid, irregular travel) and trafficking (exploitation through force or deception). The Home Office’s guidance explains this difference clearly; it’s a good place to send students who want definitions they can cite.