A recent inspection of the UK-France "one-in one-out" migration scheme concludes that many people removed from the United Kingdom have not been given adequate support to understand what will happen to them after their return to France.
The UK prison inspectorate, in its first published review of the policy introduced in July, reported that 20 people who were deported on a flight in November had access to a translator who spoke Arabic and French - languages that only a small number of the group actually understood. Inspectors noted that while those on the flight understood they were being removed to France, they largely did not know what would occur once they arrived, which the report said "increased anxiety for some."
The report also records that deportees were provided with phone numbers for law firms, but that numerous individuals said the solicitors contacted were unwilling to take on their cases. The inspectorate highlighted a broader lack of accessible legal advice for the people returned under the arrangement.
Under the terms of the agreement between the two countries, an individual who crosses to Britain in a small boat can be detained and sent back to France. In parallel, the agreement authorises an equal number of migrants to travel from France to Britain through a new legal route. The stated objective of the scheme is to discourage dangerous and illegal sea crossings and to disrupt people-smuggling networks.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said last week that, to date, 305 people have been removed from the UK under the scheme and 367 have been brought into Britain via the legal channel set up under the agreement.
The policy has drawn criticism from rights organisations, which contend that the scheme operates arbitrarily, lacks adequate due process protections and overlooks the welfare of migrants. In a coordinated appeal last year, a group of experts - including seven UN Special Rapporteurs - urged the UK and French governments to end the programme. In a letter to both governments the experts warned the scheme "may result in serious violations of international human rights law" and indicated concerns that signs of trafficking were not being identified or addressed.
The UK Home Office and France's Ministry of the Interior did not immediately provide responses to requests for comment on the inspectorate's findings.
Inspection snapshot
- Twenty people were deported on a November flight; a translator provided spoke Arabic and French, which most deportees did not understand.
- Deportees were informed they were being sent to France but lacked clear explanations of what would happen there.
- Phone contacts for law firms were given, but several deportees reported those solicitors declined to represent them.
Context of the scheme
The programme pairs detentions and returns from the UK with a controlled, legal channel allowing the same number of people to travel from France to Britain. Officials say the approach aims to reduce hazardous crossings and break smuggling operations.
Official figures cited
Authorities have reported 305 removals from the UK and 367 arrivals through the established legal route since the scheme began.