A record 16 illegal migrants have been returned to France this week under the UK–France returns agreement — the largest single group flight to date.
This brings the total number of individuals returned under the new deal to 42.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reaffirmed the government’s commitment to “scale up removals to France,” issuing a clear message to those attempting to enter the UK illegally.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “For many years, illegal migrants entered our country with no consequence.
This is the largest return flight under our historic deal with the French. And it sends a warning to those considering entering this country illegally: if you come here by small boat, you can be sent back.
This is just the beginning – I will scale up these removals to France. And I will do whatever it takes to secure our borders.”
The Home Secretary contrasted the current results with the previous government’s Rwanda policy, which cost hundreds of millions of pounds but removed only four people. In just a few weeks, the new France arrangement has seen 42 removals successfully completed.
The bilateral treaty enables the swift detention and return of individuals who enter the UK illegally via small boats. Further return flights are planned in the coming days and weeks, with both governments committed to expanding and refining the process.
The latest operation follows the deployment of UK border security officers to the Balkans last week to disrupt illegal migration routes. The mission also explores potential cooperation with Frontex to track and arrest people smugglers in the Western Balkans.
Over the past year, the National Crime Agency has led 350 disruptions of immigration crime networks — the highest number on record and a 40% increase on the previous year.
Alongside enforcement measures, the UK and France continue to operate a controlled legal migration route for eligible individuals to enter the UK following strict security checks — a reflection of the strong partnership between the two nations.
This pilot scheme will continue to expand as both governments commit to improving and scaling up this innovative approach. Together, these efforts form part of the government’s comprehensive plan to secure the UK’s borders through international cooperation, operational action, and the relentless pursuit of criminal networks facilitating illegal migration. Photo by UK Home Office, Wikimedia commons.
