The Hidden Toll of the UK's 'One In, One Out' Migration Policy
In a series of rare interviews, migrants forcibly returned to France under the UK's controversial "one in, one out" scheme have described a system that leaves them vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and despair. Launched as part of a treaty between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, the initiative aims to deter Channel crossings by exchanging small boat arrivals for legal migrants, but its human cost is becoming starkly apparent.
A System Designed to Deter, Not Protect
Since returns began last September, only a few hundred people have been sent back to France, with a similar number brought legally to the UK—a figure dwarfed by daily crossing numbers. Despite warnings from UN experts about potential breaches of international law, the scheme continues, with returnees facing uncertain fates. The UK Home Office deflects responsibility to France, while the French interior ministry remains silent on the matter.
Returnees report being trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare, with many fearing deportation to countries where they face persecution. One man from a former Soviet republic, who filmed his dinghy journey, described the trauma as "playing a game of football with us—we are the ball." He was later diagnosed with PTSD after collapsing, highlighting the psychological toll of the policy.
Violence and Adaptation in the Smuggler Networks
In northern France's "Jungle," smugglers have grown increasingly violent, with gunshots heard at night and reports of branding and threats. An asylum seeker in Sweden recounted being branded with a burning piece of wood, while others described smugglers forcing returnees to work for them or offering "free" second trips to break the deal. "The Home Office has stirred up a hornet's nest," said one Iranian returnee, noting that smugglers now track down those sent back, escalating risks.
Returnees also face dire living conditions, with some sleeping on streets in Italy or moving between trains to avoid detection. A 17-year-old, despite providing identity documents, was disbelieved by UK authorities and slept rough for 20 nights before finding refuge in an Italian children's home. The Home Office maintains its age assessments are "robust," but such cases raise serious concerns about child protection.
Missing Persons and Family Anguish
The scheme has led to disappearances, with families left in anguish. The mother of a Kurdish returnee pleaded, "Do you have any news about my son?" fearing he may have been harmed by smugglers. Another Somali man, recognized as a trafficking victim by UK authorities, sent a desperate email before vanishing, stating he was at "the deepest point of despair" over fears of being returned to Somalia.
Many returnees, though determined to return to the UK, face formidable barriers. One Kurdish man plans to enter via lorry and work illegally, hoping to claim asylum later. "We know that if we come on a small boat the UK will try to send us back again," he said, underscoring the policy's failure to address root causes.
Broken Promises and Humanitarian Failures
Critics argue the scheme prioritizes political optics over human welfare. A Somali returnee questioned, "Is their idea of humanitarian protection to send back people who have no shelter or protection to the very countries they fled from?" He predicted the agreement would be remembered as a "dark chapter in history" for abandoning vulnerable individuals.
As the UK and France continue their collaboration, the stories of those caught in the crossfire reveal a system ill-equipped to handle the complexities of migration. With smugglers adapting swiftly and returnees facing perpetual instability, the "one in, one out" policy risks exacerbating rather than alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the Channel.
