UK-French Pilot Migrant Return Scheme Begins

The UK has started detaining migrants who crossed the English Channel under a new pilot 'one in, one out' agreement between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron. Under the arrangement, selected arrivals are returned to France in exchange for pre-approved asylum seekers admitted to the UK, with each country's authorities processing referrals and responses within specified timeframes. The pilot scheme handles about 50 returns per week, with migrants detained in removal centres while awaiting return, and explicitly exempts minors and those making modern slavery or human rights claims. Critics argue the scheme's limited scope and potential legal obstacles undermine its effectiveness, labeling it a 'gimmick.' The UK government, however, insists it represents a new approach to border security and has pledged to defend the policy against legal challenges. Channel crossings have exceeded 25,000 in 2025, heightening political pressure for action.