UK and France Urged to Strike Migrant Returns Deal to Curb Channel Crossings

Strategic Insights -

UK Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to use next month's UK-France summit to negotiate a one-in, one-out migrant returns deal with France. The proposal, outlined by the Migration Policy Institute, involves setting up hubs across France to screen asylum seekers for eligibility to resettle in the UK. France would take back one small boat migrant for each asylum seeker resettled, modeled on the US's Safe Mobility Offices scheme introduced by the Biden administration in 2023.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Migration Policy Institute proposes setting up hubs across France to screen asylum seekers for eligibility to resettle in the UK, with France taking back one migrant for each asylum seeker resettled.
  • The hubs would prioritize individuals with connections in Britain and those from countries with high asylum grant rates, such as Sudan (98% acceptance rate) and Eritrea (86% rate).
  • The proposed system aims to strengthen the deterrent effect of a returns agreement by providing a viable and safe alternative to smuggler-facilitated crossings.
  • The UK and France have been unable to agree on a returns deal, with the situation in the Channel "deteriorating" according to Downing Street.
  • Over 2,500 migrants have arrived in the UK in the past nine days, bringing the total for the year to 17,278, a 50% increase compared to the same period last year.
  • The US's Safe Mobility Offices scheme, introduced in 2023, has helped reduce illegal migration from countries such as Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Guatemala.

Statistics:

  • Over 2,500 migrants have arrived in the UK in the past nine days.
  • The total number of arrivals in the UK so far this year is 17,278, a 50% increase compared to the same period last year (9,201 in 2022).
  • Countries with high asylum grant rates include Sudan (98% acceptance rate) and Eritrea (86% rate).
  • The US's Safe Mobility Offices scheme has seen a reduction in illegal migration from countries such as Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Guatemala.

Sources:

  • Migration Policy Institute
  • US Department of Homeland Security (Safe Mobility Offices scheme in 2023)
  • UK Government (Downing Street statements on Channel migrant situation)
  • French Interior Ministry (Bruno Retailleau's statement on taking back Channel migrants)