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A migrant has reportedly returned to the UK via small boat after being transferred to France under the “one in, one out” scheme less than a month prior, according to BBC News sources.
As reported by The Guardian, the individual alleges he was a victim of modern slavery perpetrated by smuggling networks operating in France.
While the Home Office has not directly verified the report, they stated that a migrant has been detained and efforts are underway to facilitate their swift removal.
To date, 42 individuals who entered the UK unlawfully have been removed under the scheme, which involves the UK accepting asylum seekers with legitimate protection claims.
Sources within the BBC indicate the man is an Iranian national who was initially apprehended on August 6th and subsequently removed on September 19th, making him the third person transferred to France under the arrangement. He reportedly returned on October 18th.
The migrant, whose identity The Guardian has withheld, reportedly stated that he returned to the UK due to safety concerns in France.
Describing his alleged treatment by smugglers, he stated: “They treated me like a worthless object, forced me to work, abused me, and threatened me with a gun, stating I would be killed if I protested.”
In response to the report, a Home Office spokesperson stated: “We will not tolerate any abuse of our borders and will exert every effort to remove those without the legal right to remain here.”
“Individuals returned under the pilot program who subsequently attempt to re-enter the UK illegally will be removed.”
Maddie Harris, director of Humans for Rights Network, informed BBC News that her organization has been in direct communication with the Iranian national.
She stated: “Very early on [after his removal], he was experiencing acute fear… as a result of his experience at the hands of the smugglers.”
“While in France, he experienced horrendous treatment at the hands of those organizing journeys to the UK.”
She added that the man returned because he felt he “was not receiving protection in France and feared those individuals may continue with that horrendous treatment.”
She also stated that her organization has encountered other cases of individuals returned under the scheme who presented “compelling” evidence of mistreatment and were unable to obtain “adequate legal advice” during the “rushed” removal process.
Regarding the “one in, one out” scheme, a Downing Street spokesperson stated on Wednesday: “We’ve been clear about the arrangement with France, that this is the beginning of a landmark scheme which is not in itself a silver bullet.”
Separately, the BBC has spoken with an Eritrean man in France who claims he was also returned under the scheme.
The man, identified as Jonas, stated he fled Eritrea due to fears of religious persecution during mandatory military conscription.
Jonas stated he traveled to the UK via Belarus, Poland, and France, embarking on a small boat with 71 others to cross the Channel, some of whom he claims have since received asylum in the UK.
Jonas believes he was arbitrarily selected for removal and told the BBC he was detained for two months before being flown to France.
When asked why he believed he was chosen for removal, he said: “I don’t know. The only reason they say is ‘you came from [a] safe country’ – but it’s not only me. How many people are crossing? Three thousand, four thousand [per month]?”
Jonas, who is currently residing in a refugee center in Paris, is unlikely to be deported to Eritrea from the European Union, but stated he fears imprisonment if he were to return.
The scheme, announced in July, aims to discourage Channel crossings and encourage migrants to seek asylum on the continent. Twenty-three people have been returned to France under the agreement.
Under the treaty, France agreed to accept migrants who traveled to the UK via small boat and had their asylum claims rejected.
In return for each person returned to France, the UK has agreed to accept an individual with a valid claim for protection as a refugee who has not attempted to cross the Channel.
On Sunday, the Home Office announced that 16 individuals had been removed to France on a single flight, representing the largest group removal under the scheme to date.
The Iranian man’s return to the UK coincided with small boat arrivals on Wednesday, pushing the total number of Channel crossing attempts this year beyond the 36,816 recorded in 2024.
An official figure is expected to be confirmed on Thursday.
The record number of arrivals for a single year was 45,755 in 2022, and this year’s rate is closely tracking that figure.
Home Office figures indicate that there were no crossings on six out of the last seven days, but that 369 individuals made the journey on October 18th.
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