UK Returns Channel Migrants to France for First Time

For the first time, the UK Border Force has returned migrants rescued in the English Channel to France, marking a potential shift towards increased Anglo-French cooperation on handling small boat crossings. On July 17, a joint rescue operation involving British and French vessels saved 71 migrants after their boat deflated near Calais, although one person tragically died. The UK Home Office and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have denied any official change in policy, describing the decision as an operational one driven by immediate rescue needs. This incident reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts between the UK and France to improve collaboration and address the rising number of Channel crossings, which have become more frequent as the weather improves.