UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Britain deports an Iranian man for the second time after a small boat crossing, raising concerns over the challenges of controlling illegal migrant arrivals.
As reported by The Independent, the British government has deported an Iranian man again after he returned to the UK via a small boat following his first removal to France.
What did the Home Office say about the deported Iranian man’s return?
The Home Office confirmed on Wednesday that the man’s latest deportation had taken place, after he re-entered the UK on 18 October under the government’s pilot “one in, one out” scheme.
The scheme is aimed at preventing migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Critics called the government in “chaos” after his return, but ministers said his detection proves the system is effective.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated,
“Anyone looking to return to the UK after being removed under the UK-France agreement is wasting their time and money.”
She said,
“This individual was detected by biometrics and detained instantly. His case was expedited, and now he has been removed again.”
Ms Mahmood added,
“My message is clear: if you try to return to the UK you will be sent back. I will do whatever it takes to scale up removals of illegal migrants and secure our borders.”
As part of the UK-France agreement, migrants arriving in the UK by small boat can be returned to France, balanced by arrivals through approved legal channels.
How did the Iranian man describe his situation before deportation?
Before being deported, the man was held in a UK immigration centre, receiving regular welfare checks. He claims to have been a victim of modern slavery in northern France.
Ahead of his planned deportation, the man appealed for sanctuary in another country, saying he could not be safe in France.
The man said,
“I believe the UK is a safe place for me, away from the smugglers in France. I cannot go back there because it is dangerous to me. Only my body can go back there, not me. I am a human being and my life will be finished there. I think the UK forgot about humans.”
He stated,
“The UK has closed the door on me and I am appealing for another safe country far from the smugglers such as Canada to grant me protection.”
Previously, he had stated,
“The smugglers are very dangerous. They always carry weapons and knives. I fell into the trap of a human trafficking network in the forests of France before I crossed to the UK from France for the first time.”
The Iranian man added,
“They took me like a worthless object, forced me to work, abused me, and threatened me with a gun and told me I would be killed if I made the slightest protest.”
What concerns did his lawyers raise over his health ahead of removal?
Lawyers for the man told Home Office officials that his health is deteriorating and requires urgent assessment and ongoing support.
Documents revealed the Home Office refused the man’s request for more time to gather expert evidence on scarring from torture and trafficking.
The Iranian man has been scheduled for a Rule 35 assessment to review his vulnerabilities, but the appointment comes a day after his planned UK removal.
According to Home Office documents, asylum seekers in France face barriers to accessing mental health care, but officials say measures will be taken in the UK to prevent suicide attempts.
What did Maddie Harris say about Iranian asylum seekers’ detention and welfare?
Maddie Harris, who leads the Humans For Rights Network, highlighted her support for the Iranian asylum seeker and those recently sent back to France.
She said,
“We remain acutely concerned for the welfare of this man. His ongoing detention and threat of removal is causing him immense distress, he should urgently be released and the threat of removal cancelled to avoid further acute harm.”
Ms Harris added,
“We also remain concerned for the welfare of those removed to France over recent weeks; many are living under the threat of onward removal to countries where they experienced abuse such as Spain and Poland, moved from place to place, with no access to information or support and certainly no access to safety.”
What did Keir Starmer say about the UK-France migrant return deal?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, “This ground-breaking deal is a crucial further step in turning the tide on illegal small boat crossings and restoring order to our immigration system.”
He said,
“For the first time illegal migrants will be sent back to France – targeting the heart of these gangs’ business model and sending a clear message that these life-threatening journeys are pointless.”
The prime minister added,
“By resetting our relationships across Europe we’ve made levels of co-operation possible never seen before. This is about grip not gimmicks, and what serious government looks like – taking down these criminal enterprises piece by piece as we secure our borders through my Plan for Change.”
How many migrants have arrived in the UK and been returned to France under the deal?
Under the one-in-one-out migration agreement, a total of 94 migrants have been sent back to France as part of the UK’s efforts to tackle cross-channel migration.
According to the Home Office, 57 individuals have successfully arrived in Britain through the scheme, reflecting the regulated flow permitted under the agreement.
How many people arrived in the UK via small boats in 2025?
Nearly 43,309 people were arrived in Britain via small boats in the year ending June 2025, which is 38% more than the previous year but 5% fewer than the peak in 2022.
From January to October 2025, around 37,000 small boat crossings were detected, a 20% increase compared to 2024.
The majority of arrivals are men over 18, making up about 76%, with children under 18 accounting for around 14%.
