"One In, One Out"...
- Nejla Kılınç
- Aug 5
- 1 min read
UK-France Migrant Plan Takes Effect: Illegal Migrants to Face Detention
A new agreement between the United Kingdom and France aimed at reducing the number of small boats crossing the English Channel has officially come into force.
Under the deal, some migrants arriving in the UK via small boats will be detained and returned to France. In exchange, the UK will accept an equal number of asylum seekers directly from France — specifically, those who have not previously attempted the Channel crossing and who pass security and eligibility checks.
How many people are crossing the Channel?
As of July 30, 2025, more than 25,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats — nearly a 49% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Currently, over 800 migrants are making the journey each week, while only about 50 are being returned.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the agreement as "groundbreaking", calling it a key step toward disrupting the business model of organized crime gangs involved in illegal migration.
Source: BBC News
