Summary
The UK government has ended a pilot agreement with France that aimed to reduce migrant crossings of the English Channel by exchanging undocumented migrants crossing by boat with asylum seekers applying legally. Although deportations will continue for those already detained, no new cases will be processed under the deal, which faced operational challenges.Key Facts
- The UK-France "one in, one out" migrant exchange deal started in 2025 to curb illegal Channel crossings.
- Under the deal, people who crossed illegally to the UK could be returned to France in exchange for asylum seekers coming legally.
- From August 2025 to June 2026, about 1,117 asylum seekers came legally to the UK, while 1,087 were deported to France.
- The deal was meant to last three years but has been ended early by agreement between both countries.
- The number of people crossing the Channel in 2026 fell by 42% compared to the previous year.
- The reductions are linked to increased police patrols and surveillance in northern France.
- At least 22 people have died attempting the crossing so far in 2026.
- Six men were sentenced in France for their role in a deadly 2021 migrant accident in the Channel that killed 31 people.
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