The UK and France are in advanced talks over a new agreement that would see illegal migrants who cross the English Channel returned to France, while Britain would accept legal migrants seeking family reunification. The proposed pilot scheme, described by the French Interior Ministry as operating on a “one-for-one principle,” aims to disrupt people-smuggling networks by creating a deterrent against dangerous small boat journeys.
Under the plan, for every undocumented migrant sent back to France after crossing the Channel, the UK would admit one legal migrant through family reunion channels. French officials suggested the agreement could eventually serve as a model for broader EU-wide returns deals. However, critics argue the scheme may have limited impact unless large numbers of arrivals are actually returned.
The discussions come as the UK faces record numbers of Channel crossings, with 705 migrants arriving in a single day this week the highest daily figure of 2025. So far this year, 8,888 people have made the journey, a 42% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
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