UK returns 1,087 Channel migrants to France under deal

The United Kingdom has forcibly returned 1,087 people to France under a "one in, one out" Channel migration deal, while admitting 1,117 others from France by the end of June.

The treaty came into force on August 6, 2025, and has been extended to the end of September. Under it, Britain can reject migrants who crossed the Channel illegally if they are deemed ineligible for asylum. In return, London accepts an equal number of migrants from France who have not taken the small boat route.

London and Paris say the accord helps crack down on people smuggling and limits the number of migrants attempting the often deadly crossing to England's south coast. More than 41,000 migrants landed last year, the second-highest annual number since records began in 2018.

More than 20 charities in both countries have said the deal inflicts further harm on people who have already survived war, torture, persecution, violence, human trafficking and a treacherous sea journey.

Haidary Hamedullah, a 28-year-old former Afghan soldier, said he crossed from France to Dover in April after fleeing Afghanistan and being refused asylum in Austria. He said British authorities detained him near Heathrow airport and flew him back to France 51 days later. He said he now fears being sent back to Austria.

Yemeni brothers Yunes and Yassin said they crossed the Channel in April to reunite with their sister, who has British nationality, after fleeing Houthi rebels and later receiving death threats in France. Yunes said they were detained for several weeks and sent back to France in late May, where they are waiting to learn if they can stay.