A second migrant has been sent back to France as part of the “one in, one out” arrangement after an unsuccessful legal challenge in the High Court.
The individual from Eritrea was flown from Heathrow to Paris at 6:15 am on Friday, as confirmed by the Home Office. This action follows the deportation of an Indian citizen in the early hours of Thursday, which was praised as a significant development by Keir Starmer.
The government’s objective is to dissuade individuals from utilizing smugglers to reach the UK. However, distressing images on Friday depicted children being assisted onto a small boat off the French coastline.
One striking photograph captured a man carrying a young child on his shoulders as they entered the English Channel. The boat departed from Gravelines beach in Calais at daybreak.
To combat the criminal organizations facilitating these perilous crossings, the government has committed to disrupting their operations. In 2024, at least 78 lives were lost during such attempts. During a visit to the UK, Donald Trump proposed the use of the military to combat trafficking.
When asked about the President’s suggestion, Business Secretary Peter Kyle mentioned the enhanced capabilities of the UK Border Force and their collaboration with the Navy for support when necessary. He emphasized the need for military resources to focus on broader national defense issues.
The government is prepared to amend legislation to halt the influx of small boats crossing the Channel. Peter Kyle stated, “We are challenging and willing to modify laws where necessary to address this issue.”
Keir Starmer expressed satisfaction with the initial deportation under the UK-France agreement. This agreement, reached in July, involves detaining and repatriating small boat arrivals while accepting an equivalent number of individuals with valid claims who have not attempted the Channel crossing.
Regarding the first deportation, Starmer remarked, “This signifies progress… It is crucial to demonstrate the feasibility of such actions.” He stressed the importance of scaling up these efforts going forward.