An Indian national has become the first Channel migrant to be deported to France under the UK Government’s controversial “one in, one out” returns agreement, marking a pivotal moment in Labour’s immigration strategy after days of legal setbacks.
The man was flown from Heathrow Airport to Paris on an Air France passenger flight on Thursday morning, French government sources confirmed to The Telegraph. His removal comes after three consecutive days when deportation attempts collapsed due to last-minute legal challenges, raising questions about the scheme’s viability.
The deportation took place despite threats of further legal action, with the Indian migrant becoming the first of up to 100 Channel arrivals detained by Border Force at the beginning of August to be successfully returned to France. A second migrant was scheduled for removal later on Thursday, whilst French officials confirmed reciprocal flights carrying approved asylum seekers to Britain would commence on Saturday.
French Request for Indian National
A senior French immigration official revealed Paris specifically requested an Indian migrant for the first deportation, explaining the strategic choice would allow France to offer voluntary repatriation to India with government-funded airfare and a €2,500 payment.
“We have already had an arrival this morning and will no doubt welcome two today,” the French official told reporters. “We expect a departure on Saturday of a group of asylum seekers to the UK.”
Should the migrant refuse voluntary return to India, he would face enforced expulsion rather than asylum consideration, as France maintains a reciprocal returns agreement with the Indian government. This arrangement significantly reduces the likelihood of the individual remaining in France long-term.
Legal Battles Plague Launch
The successful deportation follows a turbulent week for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who faced mounting pressure after planned removals on Monday and Tuesday failed when migrants were removed from flights following eleventh-hour legal interventions.
On Wednesday, a High Court judge granted “interim relief” to a 25-year-old Eritrean man scheduled for deportation, citing potential trafficking claims. Judge Clive Sheldon ruled there was “a serious issue to be tried” regarding whether the Home Secretary had fulfilled her investigatory duties lawfully.
Mahmood responded with fighting talk, declaring: “Last-minute attempts to frustrate a removal are intolerable and I will fight them at every step. Migrants suddenly deciding that they are a modern slave on the eve of their removal, having never made such a claim before, make a mockery of our laws and this country’s generosity.”
The Home Office confirmed it would appeal the decision, with officials privately expressing determination to prevent the scheme suffering the same fate as the Conservative government’s Rwanda plan, which faced repeated legal challenges before being scrapped by Labour.
Record Channel Crossings
The deportation comes as Channel crossings reach unprecedented levels, with 31,026 people arriving by small boat so far in 2025 – the earliest point in any calendar year that the 30,000 mark has been passed since records began in 2018.
The figure represents a 49 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024, placing intense political pressure on Sir Keir Starmer’s government to demonstrate its alternative approach can succeed where Conservative policies failed.
Under the bilateral agreement announced during President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit in July, adults arriving on small boats face detention and potential return to France if their asylum claims are deemed inadmissible. In exchange, Britain will accept an equal number of asylum seekers from France who have legitimate ties to the UK, such as family connections.
Pilot Scheme Details
The treaty, which came into force on 6 August and will run until June 2026, represents what Starmer has called “grown-up diplomacy delivering real results.” However, critics have questioned whether the limited scale will act as an effective deterrent.
Media reports suggest the UK aims to return approximately 50 migrants per week initially, though government ministers have refused to confirm specific numbers. France has reportedly agreed to accept only a small initial contingent whilst the scheme is tested.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray defended the policy on Thursday morning, telling Sky News: “People are right to feel angry about the level of illegal migration. People are right to feel they want hotels to close.”
Operational Challenges
The deportations are being conducted using commercial passenger flights rather than chartered aircraft, with migrants transported from the Harmondsworth immigration removal centre near Heathrow in secure vans before boarding alongside regular travellers.
Former head of immigration enforcement David Wood warned: “The main challenge is if the migrants become disruptive on the flight, and when they are held in detention other migrants spread that knowledge.”
The Home Office has booked seats on multiple Air France flights throughout the week, with formal removal direction notices giving migrants five days’ notice before deportation – a period designed to allow final legal consultation whilst preventing prolonged delays.
Political Fallout
The scheme has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Conservative shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called it “unworkable,” arguing: “Only removing all illegal immigrants upon arrival will provide the necessary deterrent to stop the crossings.”
Reform UK, which has capitalised on immigration concerns in recent elections, dismissed the agreement as inadequate given the scale of arrivals. Meanwhile, refugee advocacy groups have condemned what they term a “nightclub door policy” that treats desperate people as commodities.
Five southern European nations – Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Cyprus – have written to the European Commission expressing concern the deal could simply divert migration flows to their territories rather than addressing root causes.
Wider Immigration Strategy
The returns agreement forms part of Labour’s broader strategy to tackle Channel crossings after scrapping the Rwanda scheme immediately upon taking office. The government has pledged to “smash the gangs” operating smuggling networks, with an additional £100 million allocated to border security.
Immigration Enforcement has increased illegal working raids by 51 per cent since Labour took power, conducting 10,031 visits leading to 7,130 arrests. New biometric equipment is being rolled out to enable on-the-spot checks, particularly targeting the gig economy where many undocumented migrants find employment.
Ministers have also announced plans to change legislation supporting a crackdown on illegal working, whilst French authorities have modified guidance allowing police officers greater powers to prevent boat launches.
Future Prospects
Both governments have committed to reviewing the scheme’s effectiveness continuously, with decisions on its long-term future beyond June 2026 dependent on initial results. UK officials hope to “ramp up both the pace and scale of returns” if the pilot proves successful.
The first reciprocal flights from France carrying approved asylum seekers are expected this weekend, with applicants required to satisfy stringent eligibility criteria including identity documentation and security checks.
As political pressure intensifies and Channel crossings continue at record rates, the success or failure of this unprecedented agreement could define Labour’s immigration credentials ahead of future elections.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
Image Credit:
Air France A350-900 arriving at Boston (June 12 2024) — photo by Tim, in the public domain
