UK deports male migrant to France under new ‘one-in, one-out’ deal

Britain returned Thursday the first migrant to France under a new “one-in, one-out” deal struck two months ago, as London bids to curb arrivals on small boats crossing the Channel.

“A man who arrived in the UK by small boat in August was removed on a commercial flight this morning,” the interior ministry said, calling it a “major step” in plans to stop the politically toxic crossings.

Under the arrangement — for now a pilot scheme set to run until June 2026 — irregular migrants arriving on UK shores can be detained and then returned to France if they are deemed ineligible for asylum.

This would include those who have passed through a “safe country” to reach the UK, according to a Home Office fact sheet.

In exchange, London will accept an equal number of migrants from France who can apply for a visa to enter the UK via an online platform, prioritizing nationalities most vulnerable to smugglers and people with ties in Britain.

If approved, they will have a three-month period in which they can enter the UK and apply for asylum.