The grim future that faces migrants returned to France

Lawyers for migrants under the 'one in, one out' deal argue they will be destitute if they are returned to France with little support. Holly Bancroft reports on those who are sent back

- Holly Bancroft

Sleeping on the streets and relying on charities for food in France, a 25-year-old Eritrean man boarded a dinghy bound for Dover in the hope he could escape to a better life in the UK.

Instead, he was swiftly taken to a detention centre upon arrival and eventually told that he was to be among the first migrants to be sent back to France under Sir Keir Starmer’s much-vaunted one-in, one-out deal with French president Emmanuel Macron. But the man challenged his deportation in a last-ditch court hearing, with his lawyers arguing that he faced a real risk of homelessness and destitution once he was returned to France.

His case was successful, delaying his deportation while he submits evidence about a modern slavery claim, but others have not been so lucky, with three migrants so far sent to Paris on passenger flights this week.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood hailed the start of the scheme, saying it was “an important first step to securing our borders”, with the pilot programme set to last at least until June 2026. But concerns have been raised by lawyers attempting to challenge the deportations about what reception, if any, migrants will get when they land in Paris.

When he was asked in a screening interview on arrival in the UK why he hadn’t claimed asylum in France, the 25-year-old Eritrean man said he had seen “lots of people sleeping on the streets”, adding there was “no support”.

During his brief time in the country, he had received food from a charity and slept on the streets with two friends who were in receipt of financial support from the French government.