A new report has raised serious concerns about how migrants are treated under the UK-France deportation agreement. Inspectors found that many migrants removed from the UK did not receive proper translator support, legal advice, or clear information about what would happen to them after deportation.
The findings come from the first official inspection of the “one-in, one-out” migration scheme between the United Kingdom and France. Under this deal, migrants who arrive in the UK by small boats can be sent back to France, while the UK accepts an equal number of migrants through a legal route.
According to the report, 20 migrants deported on a flight in November were offered access to a translator who spoke Arabic and French. However, most of the migrants did not understand either of these languages, leaving them confused and unable to fully understand their situation.
Inspectors said the migrants knew they were being sent to France but did not understand what would happen to them after arrival. This lack of information increased anxiety and fear among those being deported.
The report also found problems with access to legal support. Migrants were given phone numbers of law firms, but many said the lawyers refused to take their cases. Without proper legal advice, migrants struggled to understand their rights or challenge decisions.
The UK government says the scheme is designed to stop dangerous small-boat crossings and break the business model of people-smuggling gangs. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood recently said that more than 300 people have been removed from the UK under the deal, while over 360 migrants have been allowed to enter Britain through the legal pathway.
However, human rights organisations strongly disagree with the policy. They argue that the system is unfair, lacks proper legal safeguards, and does not protect vulnerable people.
A group of international experts, including several United Nations Special Rapporteurs, previously called for the programme to be stopped. They warned that it could lead to serious human rights violations and said there were concerns that signs of human trafficking might be missed.
Neither the UK Home Office nor the French Interior Ministry has yet responded to the latest concerns raised in the inspection report.