France and UK Forge New Migration Agreement to Tackle Channel Crossings
France and the UK announce a new migration agreement to manage Channel crossings.
Key Points
- • The agreement introduces a 'one in, one out' system for asylum seekers.
- • The UK will increase funding to France for border controls and surveillance.
- • The deal allows for a limited pilot project to exchange rejected asylum seekers.
- • Both leaders expressed concerns about ongoing challenges in managing illegal migration.
On July 10, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a significant new migration agreement aimed at managing illegal crossings of the English Channel. This initiative seeks to address growing concerns regarding human trafficking and the loss of life at sea, marking a pivotal shift in the UK's approach to asylum seekers.
The agreement introduces a 'pilot project' framework, allowing for a system referred to as 'one in, one out'. Under this scheme, for every rejected asylum seeker returned to France, the UK will accept one individual, which is a notable change from the UK's previous resistance to legal immigration pathways. This development aims to facilitate a more structured migration process while reducing the perilous attempts to cross the Channel.
In addition to the migrant exchange scheme, the UK has pledged to increase its funding support to France, which currently stands at 760 million euros. These funds are intended to bolster surveillance efforts and enhance border control capabilities, a crucial aspect of the agreement. Macron emphasized that despite the new measures, the existing framework from prior agreements, such as the Sangatte Accord and the Touquet Treaty, will remain largely intact, with France acting as the first line of defense and the UK maintaining control over immigration processes.
The initiative also plans to deploy 26 Frontex coastguards to assist in monitoring the French coast, highlighting the collaborative effort between the two nations to tackle this pressing issue. However, both leaders acknowledged that significant challenges remain regarding the management of migrant returns and the overall effectiveness of the agreement in deterring illegal crossings.
Macron remarked on the failures associated with Brexit in addressing illegal immigration, suggesting that the new agreement might serve as a necessary step forward despite prevailing doubts about its impact. The leaders expressed optimism that by enhancing cooperation, the agreement will serve as a framework to help control the influx of migrants across the Channel moving forward.