Seven months after the UK and France launched their “one in, one out” migration agreement, new data show the number of migrants transferred between the two countries remains very low.
Figures from the UK Home Office reveal that between August 2025 and March 2026, a total of 377 migrants were returned to France, while 380 migrants were admitted into the United Kingdom. This amounts to about 12 transfers per week, far below the expected target of at least 50 weekly returns.
The agreement was introduced to reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. Under the deal, migrants who arrive in the UK by boat are sent back to France. In exchange, the UK agrees to accept migrants already in France through safe and legal channels, especially those seeking asylum.
Despite this plan, the number of crossings has remained high. Since the start of 2026 alone, more than 3,400 migrants have arrived in the UK by sea. In total, about 18,790 migrants have crossed the Channel since the agreement began, meaning only around 2 percent have been returned under the scheme.
Many migrants say the policy is not stopping them. In Calais, one Sudanese migrant explained that he had no reason to stay in France after his asylum claim was rejected, so he felt forced to continue his journey to the UK. Another young migrant said he would not give up after crossing the desert and the Mediterranean, adding that he had come too far to turn back.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has admitted that returns under the deal remain “relatively low.” She described the agreement as a pilot project meant to test a new way of cooperation between the UK and France. She also pointed out that practical challenges, such as detaining migrants and arranging flights quickly, have slowed down the process.
The scheme is also facing legal challenges. On March 12, the High Court of Justice stopped the deportation of an Eritrean asylum seeker who was due to be sent back to France under the agreement.
The court ruled that the man, who had been identified as a victim of human trafficking, could face serious difficulties if returned. Judges raised concerns that he might not receive proper housing, healthcare, or psychological support in France.
The ruling also noted that there is uncertainty over whether French authorities would recognise his status as a trafficking victim, since the abuse he suffered did not happen in France. The court warned that sending him back could harm his mental health.
Overall, the figures and legal issues suggest that the “one in, one out” agreement is struggling to meet its goals, with both governments facing ongoing challenges in managing migration across the Channel.