A second migrant has been sent back to France as part of the “one in, one out” arrangement following an unsuccessful legal challenge in the High Court.
The individual from Eritrea was deported on a flight departing Heathrow for Paris at 6.15 am on Friday, confirmed by the Home Office. This action comes just a day after an Indian citizen was removed in the early hours of Thursday, a move praised as a significant development by Keir Starmer.
According to the Government, these deportations aim to dissuade individuals from engaging with human traffickers for passage to the UK. Despite this, distressing images on Friday revealed children being assisted onto a small boat off the French shoreline.
Witnesses observed a man carrying a young child on his shoulders as they entered the Channel. The boat embarked from Gravelines beach in Calais at daybreak.
The Government has committed to dismantling the criminal networks profiting from the perilous sea crossings, which resulted in at least 78 fatalities in 2024. During a visit to the UK, Donald Trump proposed utilizing the military to combat human trafficking.
When asked about the President’s suggestion, Business Secretary Peter Kyle stated that while the military could be called upon if necessary, the UK Border Force is well-equipped with enhanced capabilities under the current administration.
He emphasized the need for the military to focus on broader national defense issues, mentioning the Government’s willingness to amend laws to halt the influx of small boats crossing the Channel.
On Thursday, Mr. Starmer expressed satisfaction with the initial deportation under the agreement with France, which entails detaining and repatriating small boat arrivals. As part of the pact, the UK will accept a corresponding number of individuals with legitimate asylum claims who have not attempted the dangerous crossing.
Mr. Starmer hailed the first deportation as a positive advancement and stressed the importance of scaling up such operations to address the ongoing challenges effectively.