Detainees Protest Imminent Removal to France
Thirty asylum seekers held in a UK detention centre have initiated a hunger strike in a desperate protest against their forced removal to France. This action challenges the Labour government's controversial 'one in, one out' immigration policy.
The group began refusing food on Monday. They are part of a larger number scheduled for forced removal this Thursday under a Home Office scheme. This policy involves swapping individuals seeking asylum in Britain with a smaller number brought to the UK through official, legal channels.
Mounting Criticism and Personal Desperation
One of the men participating in the strike shared his profound sense of injustice with the Guardian. 'I am exhausted by this situation and find it deeply unfair and unjust', he stated. He explained that he arrived on a small boat with 83 other people, yet only 12 were moved to a detention centre. The rest are being processed through the standard asylum system and are now housed in hotels.
He further expressed his hopelessness, citing a lack of support from the Home Office, which led him to join the hunger strike to show the public 'we do not deserve this treatment'. Another detainee described his life as having 'completely stopped' since being detained, living in a state of limbo with the constant fear of being sent back to unsafe locations, including France or his country of origin.
The policy faces growing scrutiny after reports emerged of migrants being deported to France only to attempt crossing the Channel back to Britain again. Known cases include an Iranian man who has been removed twice and an Eritrean man currently detained ahead of another attempted removal on Thursday. Official data confirms that more than 100 people have already been removed to France under this scheme, with at least one known to have returned via a small boat.
Record Pressure on the UK Asylum System
This protest unfolds against a backdrop of unprecedented strain on the UK's asylum infrastructure. According to the OECD, Britain received more than 108,000 asylum applications in 2024—the highest number since records began in 1979.
This figure represents a 28% increase from the previous year and far exceeds application numbers in comparable European nations like Germany and France, where applications actually fell. The top countries of origin for asylum seekers included:
- Over 10,000 from Pakistan
- Over 8,000 from Afghanistan
- Over 8,000 from Iran
Furthermore, the OECD found that 44,000 people attempted to enter Britain illegally last year, predominantly via small boats—a rise from 37,000 the year before. Since July 2024 alone, more than 60,000 small boat arrivals have been recorded.
These statistics are intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. His decision to scrap the previous government's Rwanda scheme was one of his first acts in office. His replacement, the reciprocal returns deal with French President Emmanuel Macron, was intended to be the cornerstone of Labour's strategy to curb Channel crossings. However, officials have struggled to explain how the policy prevents deported migrants from attempting immediate re-entry.
In response to the situation, a Home Office spokesperson said: 'We are ramping up returns activity and removing those with no right to be here, with nearly 50,000 people with no right to be here already removed this year. We are committed to ensuring that detention and removal are carried out with dignity and respect.'
