An Iranian man who twice crossed the English Channel in a small boat has again been sent back to France under the UK-France “one-in, one-out” return scheme, officials confirmed.
He first arrived in the UK on 6 August and was removed to France on 19 September. After returning on 18 October, he was deported again once French authorities accepted a readmission request on 24 October.
Since the scheme began, the home secretary has said each return sends a clear message to others considering the journey. The man said he was a victim of modern-slavery networks in northern France and could not stay there safely. “If I thought France was a safe place for me, I would never have come to the UK,” he said.
Documents from his legal team raise concerns about his mental health. They warn that language barriers and limited access to care in France could affect his treatment.
This case highlights wider tensions around the UK-France agreement. So far, 94 people have been sent back to France and 57 accepted into the UK under the arrangement. British officials claim the policy deters repeat crossings and strengthens border controls. Critics argue it weakens asylum protections and leaves vulnerable people in limbo. As of late October 2025, small-boat arrivals have already surpassed last year’s total.
Authorities placed the man in the national referral mechanism for trafficking victims, but officials rejected his claim on 27 October after a three-day review. His lawyers argue that, although France offers public mental-health services, capacity issues and language barriers make access difficult. They question the decision to send him back to a place he says he fled. The man remains under welfare checks while awaiting departure.
Biometric data confirmed his re-entry to the UK, which allowed officials to act quickly. The home secretary warned that attempts to re-enter after removal would be costly and pointless. She said resources will instead focus on expanding removals and stopping dangerous Channel crossings.
Meanwhile, tensions between London and Paris have grown. French cooperation has slowed, reportedly as leverage in talks over a £476 million border-security deal. French unions also continue to oppose “at-sea” dinghy interceptions, saying they endanger lives.
This latest return raises fresh questions about the policy’s effectiveness, humanitarian impact, and political costs. Whether it reduces crossings, protects asylum seekers, or simply shifts pressure onto France remains unclear. The coming months will show whether the scheme functions as a deterrent—or a humanitarian failure.
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