UK Signs Deal with Iraq to Return Illegal Migrants, Deter Channel Small Boats

The UK government has signed a new deal with Iraq to establish a formal process for the swift return of Iraqi nationals who have arrived in the UK illegally, aiming to deter small boat crossings across the English Channel. This agreement, signed by Home Office minister Dan Jarvis during a visit by Iraq's Deputy Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, builds on previous cooperation including an £800,000 deal to combat smuggling and organized crime. Since earlier agreements, the number of Iraqis arriving by small boat has fallen from 2,600 to 1,900 in the year ending March 2025. Alongside this, the UK has also made similar return deals with France, Albania, and Vietnam and is recruiting additional law enforcement officers to target people-smuggling networks, especially in the Middle East. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani have prioritized strengthening migration cooperation, emphasizing a broader strategy that includes tackling organized crime and improving border security. The UK government hopes these measures will significantly reduce irregular migration and reinforce strategic partnerships with Iraq.