LONDON, UK, 23 October (H.S.): The UK government’s flagship one in, one out migrant removal scheme with France is facing significant scrutiny after it emerged on Wednesday that a man deported to France less than a month ago has already returned to the UK on a small boat.

The incident raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the deal, which is intended to deter dangerous Channel crossings.The individual, understood to be an Iranian national, was initially removed to France on September 19, becoming one of the first people sent back under the new agreement.

He returned to the UK on October 18, just four days ago. The man claims he was a victim of modern slavery at the hands of smuggling gangs in France and returned because he feared for his life and was not receiving adequate protection.

A Home Office spokesperson responded by stating they would not accept any abuse of UK borders and would seek to remove anyone without a legal right to be in the country.

The one in, one out scheme, launched in July, stipulates that for every migrant returned to France whose asylum claim is rejected, the UK will accept a refugee from France who has a valid case for protection and has not attempted to cross the Channel.

So far, 42 people have been removed to France under this arrangement.This development comes as the number of migrants crossing the Channel this year has officially surpassed the total for all of 2024, with figures closely tracking the record-breaking numbers seen in 2022.

While there were few crossings in the past week, Home Office figures show 369 people made the journey on October 18 alone.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar