Illegal migrants deported from the United Kingdom under the “one-in, one-out” agreement have been caught returning to the country.
At least four individuals who had previously been sent back to France after arriving in Britain by small boat were later found re-entering the UK hidden in lorries. Two were detained by immigration enforcement officers, while two others are believed to be living in undisclosed locations in London.
The two men currently in detention reportedly arrived on separate lorries in early March. Both claimed they had been “forced” to return by smugglers, who they said were attempting to undermine the scheme.
One individual told The Guardian he was intercepted by police in Dover, while another later turned himself in, saying he did not want to remain in the country illegally.
The developments come despite ongoing cooperation between the UK and France. Under the agreement, 377 migrants have been returned to France, while 380 asylum seekers have been transferred to Britain. However, only around 2% of the 18,790 small boat arrivals since the deal began have been sent back.
A total of 41,427 people crossed the English Channel illegally in 2025, only slightly below the 2022 record of 45,755.
