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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
World
RFI

UK and France start migrant return scheme to curb illegal Channel crossings

A group of migrants get on an inflatable dinghy to leave the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the English Channel to reach Britain as tougher migration controls were announced, from the beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe in Gravelines, near Calais, France, 17 July 2025. REUTERS - Gonzalo Fuentes

A deal between Britain and France allowing the UK to return some migrants who cross the English Channel came into force on Tuesday. It's the latest step towards dismantling the criminal trade in small boat crossings and preventing dangerous journeys at sea.

The agreement, which was struck between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron during the latter's state visit to the UK last month, involves a "one-in, one-out" scheme to curb record levels of irregular Channel crossings.

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