UK and France Set to Launch 'One In, One Out' Immigration Agreement
UK and France are close to finalizing a 'one in, one out' immigration agreement to manage migrant crossings in the English Channel.
Key Points
- • UK plans to return up to 50 migrants weekly to France.
- • In return, France agrees to accept these migrants and the UK would take in an equal number of asylum seekers.
- • French law limits police action beyond 300 meters from shore, complicating control efforts.
- • Both countries are seeking collaborative solutions to tackle smuggling operations.
The UK and France are reportedly finalizing details of a new immigration agreement termed "one in, one out", aimed at regulating migrant crossings in the English Channel. According to discussions, the UK plans to return up to 50 migrants weekly who arrive via small boats to France. In exchange, France will accept these migrants while allowing the UK to admit an equal number of asylum seekers who have familial ties in Britain.
The agreement, which is expected to be announced during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the UK, comes as both nations seek to address the persistent issue of illegal crossings—a situation that has escalated in the wake of Brexit. The French law currently restricts police actions beyond 300 meters from shore, a factor complicating efforts to control migrant crossings effectively. British officials are advocating for reforms to this law to enable more active intervention by French authorities.
The plan also emphasizes increased UK funding to bolster surveillance of crossings, with a focus on dismantling smuggling operations in the region. UK Defence Minister John Healey highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two nations, stating that both recognize the shared challenges posed by illicit crossings and the smuggling gangs that facilitate them. However, the initiative may encounter obstacles, including legal challenges in France and potential resistance from other European nations regarding the treatment of migrants and the logistics involved in such reciprocal arrangements.
Both governments view the agreement as essential for improving border security and addressing the humanitarian aspects of migration. As they prepare for the formal announcement, the international community is awaiting further details on the operational aspects of this agreement and its anticipated impact on migrant flows across the English Channel.