The UK and France announced an agreement to exchange migrants between the two countries on a one-for-one basis. Under the deal, the UK will return migrants arriving via the English Channel in exchange for receiving an equivalent number from France. The two countries will initiate a pilot phase in which migrants will be exchanged through a new legal pathway. According to the British government, the new mechanism will be fully documented and subject to strict security checks.
According to the UK government, the deal aims to undermine the business model of migrant smuggling gangs operating through the English Channel by preventing irregular migrants from crossing Europe to reach the UK. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the concerns of some European countries, saying: “This positive agreement will strengthen the UK’s relations with Europe as a whole. This pioneering deal marks another decisive step in changing the course of illegal small-boat crossings and restoring order to our migration system.” He added: “By resetting our relations across Europe, we have enabled levels of cooperation not seen before.”
On the other hand, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the need for the agreement amid rising migration flows, particularly as the UK has become an attractive destination for irregular migrants. Macron said the two countries “have no choice but to work together.” He also criticized the “lies” that led to Brexit, noting that the UK is no longer covered by the EU agreement that allows asylum seekers to be returned to the first European country they entered.
Five European countries expressed concern over the agreement in a joint letter to the European Commission. As a member of the Schengen Area, France can return migrants it receives from the United Kingdom to the first European country they entered, which could make France a gateway for returning migrants from the UK to other EU countries.
The joint letter stated, “We have taken note, with some surprise, of France’s announced intention to sign a bilateral readmission agreement.” It added, “Such an initiative raises serious concerns for us, both procedurally and in terms of its potential impact on other member states, particularly those related to first entry. We believe it is necessary to clarify whether the agreement may have any direct or indirect consequences for other member states.”
