UK deports first migrant under new 'one in, one out' policy

The United Kingdom has taken a significant step in its immigration policy by executing its first deportation under a newly implemented 'one in, one out' scheme for asylum-seekers. This event occurred on September 18, 2025, where a man originally from India, who had entered the U.K. unlawfully by boat in August, was flown back to France. The Home Office announced that this successful deportation is part of a broader effort to manage and reduce the flow of unauthorized migrants across the English Channel, which has seen over 30,000 individuals making the dangerous crossing in just 2025 alone. The government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has been under intense public and political pressure to resolve the ongoing issue of illegal immigration. The pressure has increased due to rising anti-immigrant sentiment, highlighted by protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers. Sir Keir Starmer's administration aims to control the situation by striking agreements with France while redefining the U.K.'s approach to dealing with migrants. The latest policy shifts focus on deporting individuals who enter the U.K. illegally instead of sending them to third countries, attempting to simplify the process and reduce the number of unauthorized crossings. This deportation marks the first execution of the pilot scheme that was agreed upon by Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year. The initial aim was to create a reciprocal arrangement where the U.K. would deport individuals who arrived illegally from small boats back to France, while France would accept some asylum seekers with familial ties to the U.K. However, fulfilling this agreement has faced legal challenges that hindered progress in the past. The recent deportation has brought hope to the U.K. government that this scheme might mark a change in how border agreements can be effectively implemented. However, it remains crucial for the authorities to address the concerns surrounding ongoing claims of modern slavery and trafficking presented by migrants, as they could still stall further deportations significantly. The U.K. Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has commented on the determination to rid the processes of vexatious claims and the importance of treating illegality as a serious matter. These efforts form part of a broader ambition to restore confidence in border control mechanisms while balancing humanitarian aspects of the asylum claims system.