First Migrants Arrive in UK Under New 'One In, One Out' Policy with France

New UK-France Migrant Policy Sees First Arrivals

The United Kingdom has welcomed the first migrants under its new 'one in, one out' policy with France. A family of three, including a small child, arrived in the UK on September 24, 2025, marking a significant step in the bilateral agreement aimed at managing cross-Channel migration. This arrival follows the recent removal of four individuals from the UK to France under the same scheme.

Policy Details and Implementation

The 'one in, one out' deal, also referred to as a returns treaty, officially came into force on August 6, 2025. It was announced in July 2025 by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Under the terms of the agreement, migrants who arrive in the UK via small boats from France can be detained and subsequently returned to France, with their asylum claims being deemed inadmissible. In reciprocity, the UK commits to accepting an equivalent number of asylum seekers from France through a newly established legal route. These individuals must undergo stringent security and eligibility checks and must not have previously attempted an illegal crossing.

A key criterion for those entering the UK through this legal pathway often includes demonstrating a family connection within the United Kingdom. The policy's overarching goal is to deter dangerous small boat crossings, dismantle people-smuggling networks, and ensure that migration occurs through safe, legal, and managed channels.

Initial Returns and Ongoing Challenges

The first removals from the UK to France under the new policy commenced in the week leading up to September 24, 2025. Four men – an Indian national, an Afghan individual, and two others from Eritrea and Iran – were deported to France. The first rejected asylum seeker, an Indian national who had arrived in the UK by small boat in August, was removed on September 19, 2025. The Home Office stated that these moves are 'critical first steps' under the scheme.

Despite the implementation, the policy faces ongoing legal challenges. An Eritrean man successfully secured a temporary block on his deportation through a High Court ruling, a decision the Home Office was refused permission to appeal. The deal initially aimed to exchange approximately 50 migrants per week. However, as of September 24, 2025, only a handful of individuals have been returned to France, and the family of three represents the first arrivals under the legal route. This development occurs against a backdrop of continued high numbers of small boat arrivals, with over 32,000 people having reached the UK by this method so far in 2025.