As of October 2025, the new UK-France "one in, one out" migrant returns deal, a centerpiece of current immigration policy, is reeling from a severe blow. An Iranian migrant, deported under this very agreement, has shockingly managed to return to Britain on a small boat within weeks of his removal. This incident has cast serious doubts on the effectiveness and enforcement of the highly-publicised treaty negotiated between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The agreement, intended to deter perilous Channel crossings by ensuring a one-for-one exchange of migrants, has seen over 11,000 arrivals since its inception in August, with a mere 42 successfully returned to France. The return of this deported migrant not only highlights a critical oversight but also questions the operational capacity to enforce such deals.

The Iranian man’s ordeal began with his illegal entry into the UK in early August, followed by a deportation to France on September 19th. His swift return has stirred up considerable controversy, exposing what critics are calling a “gaping flaw” in the treaty. Upon his re-entry, he was detained and is currently held at an immigration removal center, awaiting further action.

In an intriguing twist, the migrant shared with The Guardian that his return was driven by dire conditions in France, where he felt unsafe and claimed to be a victim of trafficking. "If I had felt that France was safe for me, I would never have returned to the UK,” he stated, painting a grim picture of his experience with dangerous smugglers and constant fear.

This incident not only underscores the practical challenges in preventing re-entries but also raises significant legal and ethical questions. The UK is bound by its legal duties under various international statutes to assess claims of human trafficking or asylum before enforcing deportation, a responsibility that seems to have been inadequately addressed in this case.

Moreover, the broader implications of this policy failure are becoming increasingly visible. Amidst this enforcement debacle, a new controversy has emerged concerning UK landlords profiting from government-funded asylum housing contracts, raising questions about legal and ethical practices in an already overwhelmed system.

The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has pointed fingers at previous administrations while promising a more robust approach. However, critics argue that without a solid framework to ensure the permanence of deportations, the policy may reduce to an ineffective and costly exercise.

As this legal and human drama unfolds, the effectiveness of the UK-France migrant deal remains under intense scrutiny, with both nations grappling with the challenges of migration management, human rights obligations, and international cooperation.